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Cornell University Library 1993.MEMOIR OF
Stephen Louis Le Couteulx
DE CAUMONT
BY MARTHA J. F. MURRAYLOUIS STEPHEN LE COUTEULX DE CAUMONT.
From an Oil Portrait in the Possession of the Buffalo Historical Society.MEMOIR OF
STEPHEN LOUIS LE COUTEULX
DE CAUMONT
BY MARTHA J. F. MURRAY
Buffalo was incorporated only in 1832, and yet, to write
intelligently of Stephen Louis Le Couteulx de Caumont, a
pioneer of our city, and the first clerk of Niagara County,
one must go back to those stirring colonial days, when
Robert Morris, the Financier of the Revolution, organized
the Bank of North America, and staked his all in the cause
of George Washington and national freedom.
At that time, the Le Couteulx family, forerunners of the
great house of Rothschild, were noted financiers in Eu-
rope. The family originated in Normandy, and, possessing
great wealth, they frequently came to the assistance of the
French Government with gifts and generous loans of money.
For such financial aid, the family was ennobled in 1505, and
granted the unusual privilege of continuing their commer-
cial pursuits. All branches of this large and influential fam-
ily united for business purposes, and they had numerous
enterprises in many countries.
Gradually younger members of the Le Couteulx family
gave up thoughts of mercantile pursuits, choosing more
aristocratic careers in the Church, in the army, and in law.
The immediate ancestors of Louis Le Couteulx chose the
law, and attained much prominence in French legal circles.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
435
A few weeks before his departure for America, Louis Le
Couteulx was married to Miss Clouet, whose uncle, Col.
Tauzan (or Touzard, as sometimes written), was aid to
General La Fayette in our Revolutionary War. Col. Tau-
zan lost an arm in the war, and further proved his love for
America by remaining in the service of the United States
until his death in 1811. Well can we imagine his cordial
reception of his niece and her young husband when they ar-
rived in New York, Dec. 15, 1786.
Having successfully completed his business matters with
Robert Morris, and being charmed with America and her
people, Louis Le Couteulx decided to remain in the coun-
try. As soon as possible, he became a citizen of the United
States, making his first declaration, July 7, 1787. After
living for a short time at Trenton, N. J., in a rented house,
he bought a fine estate just outside of Philadelphia, which
he called “La Petite France.” For several years, he closely
identified himself with the interests of Bucks County, Pa.,
and it was probably there was cemented that friendship with
Robert Morris, which seems to have been a source of much
comfort and joy to both.
Like his friend Robert Morris, Louis Le Couteulx was
a many-sided man. The odd bits of information found here
and there concerning his life and adventures, make us realize
that his was a career full of romance and daring deeds.
Unfortunately no trace can be found of the diary which he
kept for many years. With that precious volume in our
possession, imagination could weave the fragments into a
story that a Cooper, an Irving or even a Walter Scott need
not have disdained to pen.
The climate of Philadelphia was most unfavorable to
Madam Le Couteulx, and so on Oct. 17, 1789, accompanied
by their two sons, Alphonse Pierre and William B,, Louis
Le Couteulx and his wife returned to France for a visit of
one year.
Scarcely a more unfavorable time could have been chosen
to visit their native land, then disturbed by great social and
religious upheavals. In Normandy, Catholic faith was more436
MEMOIR OF
intense and more deeply rooted than in any other part of
France. There the atheistic element in French society made
fierce war upon the Church, and Church questions' quickly
became political issues. On arriving, Mr. Le Couteulx
found that his father and several relatives had been impris-
oned, and that if discovered he himself might expect the
same fate. Securing a place of safety for his wife and sons,
he escaped to England in an open boat manned only by two
fishermen. It was a bold, even a rash venture; but bravely
surmounting the perils of the passage, the fearless fisher-
men safely made the English coast. Our adventurer went
at once to London, where friends of former years received
him with open arms.
Some time during that same year, whether before his re-
turn to France or while a refugee in England is uncertain,
Mr. Le Couteulx exported from Spain the first pair of
Merino sheep ever brought to the United States. This event,
marking an epoch in the domestic economy of our country,
was attended with grave dangers to those who shipped the
animals for Mr. Le Couteulx, as the Spanish Government
condemned to the galleys for life any persons engaged in
such exportations. Some chronicles state that the sheep
were presented to Thomas Jefferson; but a careful search
through eight volumes of the Jefferson Letters failed to dis-
cover any mention of such an occurrence. The statement
given by another authority that the sheep were a gift to
Robert Morris is probably correct.
At his summer home, “The Hills,” on the eastern bank
of the Schuylkill river, and about three miles from Phila-
delphia, where he lived from 1770 to 1800, Robert Morris'
hobby seems to have been a desire to make his farm the
most attractive place in Pennsylvania. The large stone man-
sion, equipped with every device to make life comfortable,
was surrounded by 300 acres of beautifully wooded and
rolling country. Imported cattle and sheep browsed on pas-
tures sloping towards the river, and it is altogether probable
that his neighbor at “La Petite France" was determined to
complete the beauty of the landscape, by adding those pre-LOUIS LB COUTEULX.
437
cious animals so carefully treasured by the Spanish Gov-
ernment. With a man like Louis Le Couteulx, the dangers
incurred in securing the sheep would only increase his de-
sire to see them on Robert Morris’ farm.
The Le Couteulx family affairs in “La Petite France”
had not been unalloyed in their happiness, and once back in
her native land, Madam Le Couteulx refused to return to
Philadelphia. Accordingly, on Feb. 17, 1790, Louis sailed
for America alone, arriving in Philadelphia after an un-
eventful voyage. He sold “La Petite France” and prepared
for a journey through the western part of the country.
Robert Morris had just purchased from Gorham and
Phelps, about 1,200,000 acres of land in Western New York,
extending to Lake Erie. No home ties now binding him to
Bucks County, and true to those instincts for which the
Latin race has ever been famous, Louis Le Couteulx deter-
mined to see for himself those lands. Fearless of all dan-
gers and discomforts, and accompanied only by a servant,
Louis Le Couteulx set out on horseback for his land of ad-
venture, a veritable Don Quixote and his Sancho! He
visited many parts of the United States, and for two years
or more, journeyed here and there as fancy dictated. Much
of this time was spent with the various Indian tribes, many
of whom became greatly attached to Mr. Le Couteulx.
They admitted him to their councils, and gave him every
opportunity to study their language and their people. So
much was he esteemed by the red men of the forest, even
the Senecas, those Romans of the Five Nations, placed a
high value upon his friendship, and adopted him into their
tribe.
During those years when Louis Le Couteulx was wan-
dering and studying, Robert Morris, while investing largely
in real estate, resumed his interests in the cultivation and
sale of tobacco. His father, Robert Morris, Sr., had settled
at Oxford, on the Chesapeake, as agent for a large firm of
tobacco merchants of Liverpool, about 1738; and, when
quite a young man, Robert Morris, Jr., became a member of
the tobacco firm of Chas. and Thomas Willing Co. of Phila-438
MEMOIR OF
delphia. It was but natural then, after resigning as Super-
intendent of Finance in the infant Republic, that Robert
Morris should resume that business by which he had
amassed a fortune.
The friendship of Robert Morris and Louis Le Couteulx
was evidently a warm and sincere one. That there were
social and business ties between Morris and other members
of the Le Couteulx family, is shown by numerous letters
preserved among the Morris manuscripts in the Library of
Congress. Though these do not relate to the immediate sub-
ject of our sketch, some of them, addressed to relatives of
Louis Le Couteulx, afford interesting glimpses of the con-
ditions and business methods of the time. One or two of
them follow:
Philada 6 April 1795.
Mr. J. B. Le Couteulx, Paris:
Sir: Yesterday I received yr letter of the 13 Feby, and I beg for
your belief when I assure you of my feeling Sympathy for the loss of
Mr. Laurent Le Couteulx. The Circumstances which occasioned his
Death give additional force to ones feelings and I lament it sincerely.
I pray you to present my Respects to Madame the Widow of Mr. L:
Le Couteulx with my best Wishes for the happiness of her and her
Children. It is very true that I agreed to make the Payment of
about £2800 Strff* to Mr. L. Le Couteulx and you, as you will see by
the enclosed copy of the letter written on this subject which you say
did not come to your hands. Mr. G. Morris certainly had not funds
to make this pay1 nor was it in my expectation that it would be
asked of him therefore I did not think of providing it in his hands
or lodging the Money in Europe. The mode you now point out by
shipment of Tob° [tobacco] is more agreeable to me and therefore
I shall pursue it. There is however one objection. The last crop of
Tob° is of the worst quality in Virga- that has been known of many
years, and I think your plan of supplying your manufactory at Mor-
laix was to have Tob° of the very best quality. To get good Tob°
of the last crop is impossible and as you say you are in want, of
course, you must be content with such as can be got, other Manufac-
tories will be in the same situation and consequently cannot make
better snuff than yours.
Mr. John Richard Junr is now here being lately come up. from
Richmond I will consult with him and if the Tobacco is shipped
from the present Crop we will do the best that is possible, it is very
disagreeable to buy and ship Goods of ordinary quality but if you
receive the best is to be had, you must not complain for if I do ship
Tob° it will only be from a desire to comply with your wishes. I
shall soon address you again being with sincere regard
Sir [etc]
R[obert] M[orris].LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
439
Philada May ist 1795.
Mr Jno Barthelemy Le Couteulx, Paris:
Sir: I deliver this letter to Mr. James Taylor of Alexandria in •
Virginia who is about to sail with a Cargo of Tob° for France which
he will have to sell there, and as you are interested in the Manufac-
tory at Morlaix I judge that this introduction may be useful to you
as well as to Mr. Taylor. I beg leave to recommend him to your
Friendship and good offices and I also recommend him to make you
an offer of his Cargo for which I presume you can afford to give as
good a price as any others. The Tob° from Potomac River you
know is not equal to the James River Tob° but I expect this Cargo
is of the best that could be collected in that part of the Country.
I am Sir [etc]	R. M.
Phila May 31, 1795.
Messrs Le Couteulx & Co., Paris:
Gentn: I received on the 5th Inst your favor of the 26 Feby
O. S. 3. R. Francis, upon the affairs of Mr. Jona Nesbitt, and cannot
help expressing my regret that you or I should be plagued and
troubled so much about affairs with which we ought not to have
any thing to do, for altho' it was once intended that Conyngham
Nesbitt & Co and myself were to have become Partners with Mr.
Nesbitt and were to have executed Articles of Copartnership yet that
never was done, and my letter to him upon that Subject which laid
the foundation for this trouble is not conclusive. I hope and expect
therefore that upon a fair hearing you will obtain in your Courts a
Decision in my favor. However Mr. Jona Nesbitt is gone to Europe
for the purpose of effecting a Compromise with his Creditors, and
carried with him all the Effects he could raise which he intends to
divide amongst them provided they will give him Acquittance, and he
alledges that he ought cheerfully to accept of his Propositions be-
cause the bulk of what is claimed, is only the effect of frauds and
Impositions committed against him by those of whom he purchased
Goods during the American War, and he is of opinion, or so he
declared to me, that most of his Creditors had already received more
than in Justice they were entitled to. . . . Be this as it may, I hope
that you and I shall get clear of this business with which we ought
not to be troubled.
With sincere Regard, I remain, Yrs
R. M.
Philada Octo 12, 1795.
Messrs Le Couteulx & Co., Paris:
Gentn: I deliver this letter to my son in Law James Marshall
Esqr uncertain whether it ever will be presented to you. He is about
to embark, accompanied by his Wife, for Europe and they may pos-
sibly visit Paris. Should that happen you may readily conceive how
much I shall feel myself obliged by any attentions you may be pleased440
MEMOIR OF
to pay to the Daughter of my affections and to her Husband whom I
esteem. They are young and being entire strangers in Paris, I beg
leave to recommend them in the warmest Manner to your notice.
I am sincerely Yours
R. M.i
These letters show that the Le Couteulx family was prom-
inent not only in business, but socially as well. And from
the letter of introduction given to his son-in-law, James
Marshall, “commending in the warmest manner to your
notice the daughter of my affection, and her husband whom
I esteem”—we can gather that the most cordial intimacy
existed between the two families.
In 1795, when Louis Le Couteulx established himself in
business at Albany, the tide of emigration to the western
part of the State was rising. Midwinter, if there were
sleighing, was a favorable time, because transportation by
sleighs was much easier than by wagons. In January and
February, at this period, as many as 500 sleighs passed
through Albany daily. Families moving westward from the
New England States, always stopped at Albany to replenish
their supplies; and activity at the Le Couteulx drug store
kept pace with the moving tide.
That Louis Le Couteulx assumed at once a prominence
in Albany which his family prestige and personal worth jus-
tified is proved by the following extract from the narrative
of “Travels” published in London, by the Duke de la Roche-
foucault Liancourt, who visited Albany in 1795:
“Some French families reside in this town and its vicin-
ity; that of M. Le Couteulx—a highly interesting name—
is the only one whose acquaintance I wished to obtain. They
who are acquainted with this family know that it has long
been distinguished for rectitude and talents, as well as for a
consummate knowledge and punctuality in commercial
transactions; qualities which have been as it were heredi-
1. The above and others not here printed, chiefly letters of introduction
addressed to various members of the Le Couteulx family, are copied from the
“Morris Letter Book, I,” Morris MSS., Library of Congress. Acknowledg-
ment is here made of the courteous assistance of Dr. Herbert Putnam, Libra-
rian of Congress.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
441
tary in it. M. Le Couteulx of Albany, is, by unanimous tes-
timony of all who have had any dealings with him, worthy
of his name. His ideas as well as his expressions carry
some air of peculiarity; but he is good, obliging, honest,
and universally respected. He is engaged in partnership
with M. Quesnel, a merchant of St. Domingo ; this house
is again connected with the firm of Olive in New York and
through this it is asserted with the great and respectable
house of Le Couteulx in France.”2
Louis Le Couteulx had other distinguished visitors, while
residing in Albany. Here Lafayette was his guest. And
here, too, when as a French exile, he was forced to leave
England by the “Alien Bill,” Talleyrand, the great French
diplomat, had many a chat with his countryman. Talley-
rand sailed for the United States February, 1794, and re-
mained in this country more than a year. Part of this time
was spent in Albany, where he had lodgings in a quaint old
building standing until recently on the west side of Chapel
Street and south of Maiden Lane.
Chapel Street brings to mind the religious life of Albany
in which Louis Le Couteulx took a prominent part. In spite
of the frequent visits of Catholic missionaries on their way
to the Indian villages in the Mohawk valley, there was no
organized body of Catholics in Albany until 1796. In the
early summer of 1796, about one year after Louis Le Cou-
teulx had settled in Albany, the Catholic portion of the pop-
ulation began to collect money for a church. The city gave
a fine piece of property on Pine Street, between Barrack
and Lodge, and a meeting was held at the home of James
Robichaux, where a Catholic society was formally corpor-
ated, October 6th. The certificate of corporation in the
County Clerk’s office is signed by Louis Le Couteulx and
Daniel McEvers.
There being no resident priest in or near Albany, the cor-
nerstone was laid by Thomas Barry, and the little church
was called St. Mary’s. It was a brick building about fifty
2. “Travels,” London, 1799, p. 384. This edition of La Rochefoucault
spells the name “Le Couteux.”442
MEMOIR OF
feet square, and the second Catholic church in New York,
St. Peter’s in New York City being the first. The name of
Barrack Street was changed to Chapel Street, probably in
compliment to the little congregation, which for many years
was the only Catholic body between Albany and Detroit.
As was usual in those days, when building churches,
many members of the little congregation in Albany solicited
funds from friends in various parts of the country, and Mr.
Le Couteulx was very desirous of visiting Canada for that
purpose. This extract from a letter written to Mr. Garrett
Cottringer (Gottrigue) at Philadelphia, Dec. i, 1796, tells
us very plainly why Mr. Le Couteulx did not undertake the
journey, and also throws much light upon the feelings he
entertained for the British Government:
Bishop Carroll at our request, has wrote to the clergy of Canada
praying them to get some person to collect some money in Montreal
and Quebec for the erection of our church. I wish the English
would admit me there this winter—I would parle Francais among
the Canadians, and call on every one of them for something, but I
am told that the British Government instructed Governor Prescott
not to allow a single Frenchman enter Canada. I hope to see the day
when they will penetrate into that country without their leave.
About three months later, this Canadian collecting tour
was made either by Thomas Barry or John William Barry,
fortified with the following letter:
Messieurs the Parish Priests :
The bearer of this present is Mr. Barry, a Catholic from the
City of Albany, in the State of New York. He is appointed to col-
lect funds to aid in the erection of a church in that place, an under-
taking worthy of all encouragement; we have accordingly promptly
contributed to this work according to our means. You are invited
and solicited to co-operate likewise and to afford Mr. Barry the
opportunity of collecting the donations which the zeal and the liber-
ality of your parishioners may secure him.
I am, etc.,
John Francis,
Bishop of Quebec.
Quebec, March 4, 1797.
St. Mary’s congregation has twice outgrown the accom-
modations in the church. In 1867 when excavating for theIt Commemorates Mr. Le Couteulx’S Connection with the Parish. The DistortionLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
448
third and present beautiful structure, an interesting relic of
the original building was found. It is a piece of marble
undoubtedly the inscription stone of the little brick church.
This stone is considered a great treasure, and was built into
the walls of the present church. It bears Mr. Le Couteulx’s
name, misspelled.3
No records were kept at St. Mary’s until 1822, conse-
quently a search of the ecclesiastical records of Albany by
the reverend secretary of Rt. Rev. Bishop Burke failed to
discover any data concerning Louis Le Couteulx. However,
the United States Catholic Historical Magazine contains
frequent references to his activity in church work.
The large French settlements in and around Detroit made
that metropolis of the West most interesting to Mr. Le Cou-
teulx, and feeling the need of further expansion, he deter-
mined to visit Detroit. Accordingly, in September, 1800,
he sallied forth for pastures new. Taking with him a large
quantity of merchandise, he decided to make Detroit his
home should he find there a good market for his goods.
Louis Le Couteulx reached Fort George, on the Cana-
dian side of the Niagara, October 7th. From Fort George
the route was through Queenstown and Chippewa to Fort
Erie, where shipping could be obtained direct to Detroit.
The romantic fairy that seems to have stood sponsor for him
in his little Normandy crib, evidently had other plans for
3. A photograph of this stone was obtained, to accompany this sketch,
through the kindness of Miss Helen F. Moran of the Albany School Depart-
ment. Aside from the misspelling of the name Le Couteulx, this stone is of
historic interest on account of the Masonic emblems engraved upon it. For
specific reasons, well known, the Masonic order was condemned by Pope
Clement XII, in 1738, and Catholics were advised to separate themselves from
that organization. The meagre facilities for transmitting news of any kind
in the United States at the time, and for fully a century later, the very few
resident priests, and the great extents of territory embraced in one parish,
made it impossible for Catholics to keep in touch with Papal edicts. When
St. Mary’s cornerstone was laid in 1797, Bishop Carroll of Baltimore • was the
only bishop in the United States, and his diocese embraced the whole country.
The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Albany, was Union Lodge,
organized in 1765, and many of its members were Catholic. There being no
resident priest, when so important an event as the laying of the Church cor-
nerstone was to take place, it was but natural that a religious organization to
which many of the church members belonged, should conduct the exercises.444
MEMOIR OF
Louis. Scarcely had he set foot on shore at Fort George
than he was arrested as a French spy, by the British, and in
spite of all protestations, sent to Quebec a prisoner. The
United States Government immediately demanded his re-
lease as an American citizen, and made strenuous efforts to
effect it, but to no avail. He endured rigorous captivity
from November, 1800, to July 29, 1802, and was released
only when peace was ratified between France and England.
An adverse fate seems to have had strange designs upon
the affairs of Louis Le Couteulx and his former neighbor at
“The Hills.” For many years their lives had apparently
drifted apart. Yet, by a strange irony of fate, when the
lord of “La Petite France” was arrested and sent as a spy
to a British prison, Robert Morris was languishing in a
Philadelphia jail where he had been committed for debt.
This man, who had owned more ships and more land than
any other man in America, and who out of his private purse
had kept the Continental Army in the field, was held a pris-
oner from Feb. 8, 1798, to August, 1801. When released,
he was sixty-four years of age, and had not a penny he could
call his own. But the pluck that made possible those colos-
sal achievements never failed him.
Neither could the trials of unjust imprisonment, nor the
consequent disastrous conditions of his financial and business
affairs break the indomitable French spirit of Louis Le Cou-
teulx. Adjusting his affairs as well as he could, he took
unto himself a second wife, and, hopeful and serene, came
to the infant Buffalo—the “New Amsterdam” of the Hol-
land Land Company. Here he bought several lots from
Joseph Ellicott, agent. This company, by the way, repre-
senting several Dutch merchants in Amsterdam, never had
corporate existence in this country or in Holland. These
Dutch capitalists wished to purchase from Robert Morris
the Indian lands in Genesee County, which he had bought
from the State of Massachusetts. But, as the laws of our
country then prohibited non-residents from acquiring title
to land in America, Robert Morris had recourse to an in-
genious scheme for transferring to them the land theyPENCIL PORTRAIT OF LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
from the Original Drawing by Mme. Alphonse Le Couteulx, in the Possession
of the Buffalo Historical Society.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
445
wished to purchase. He conveyed four tracts of land by as
many deeds, to four groups of persons living in this country.
The funds were furnished by the Dutch merchants for whom
the actual purchasers acted as trustees. Some years later,
the titles to these lands were found defective, and through
the efforts of Gouverneur Morris, Mrs. Robert Morris be-
came entitled to $1,500 a year. With this small income, paid
yearly, Mr. and Mrs. Morris managed to exist, until Mr.
Morris died, May 7, 1806. In 1797, the general agent of the
associated owners, Theophilas Cazenove, engaged Joseph
Ellicott to survey the land in Western New York. Augus-
tus Porter was appointed to accompany Joseph Ellicott and
look after his interests by Robert Morris. When the sur-
veys had been made to the satisfaction of all concerned,
Joseph Ellicott was appointed local agent for the company,
and established his land office at Batavia. That Louis Le
Couteulx visited Joseph Ellicott at Batavia before coming to
New Amsterdam is evident from a number of letters written
to him, and now in the possession of the Buffalo Historical
Society.
In the first letter, July 19, 1803, Mr. Le Couteulx speaks
of his friends Cazenove and Vanstophurst, saying that he
“certainly would persuade them to erect a house of worship
and a free school in this place.” Then he adds this local
prophecy: “There is a possibility of making a good harbour
at Buffalo in spite of the Barr which is at its entrance. I
am sure that Yankes can remove it, if Hollanders will not
undertake it.”
Perhaps the most interesting thing in his second letter,
July 20, 1803, is the suggestion to cut a canal from the
mouth of Buffalo Creek to Black Rock, a prophecy almost
of that larger canal to be built two decades later from Buf-
falo to his former home on the Hudson.
Thus do these two letters prove that, standing on the
threshold of the nineteenth century, their writer was con-
scious of the future prosperity of Buffalo, and warmly ad-
vocated those two conditions by means of which she has
obtained it.446
MEMOIR OF
In 1804, Mr. Le Couteulx engaged some Canadians to
erect him a residence on the northeast corner of Crow Street
and Willink Avenue, just opposite where the Mansion
House now stands, and on the spot occupied by the Le Cou-
teulx block. In one part of his dwelling Mr. Le Couteulx
established a drug store, the first in Erie County. The drug
store faced Crow Street (Exchange), and extending up
Willink Avenue (Main Street) were the beautiful gardens
of Mr. Le Couteulx. Southerly, across the Terrace, opened
up a beautiful vista to the blue waters of Lake Erie. Mr.
Le Couteulx soon became prominent in Buffalo affairs. Now
in his fiftieth year, he was a man of push and enterprise.
No public meeting was complete without him, and no pub-
lished list of men concerned in public enterprises lacked his
name.
In 1808, the County of Niagara was erected out of Gene-
see County, and included all the territory now occupied by
the present oounties of Niagara and Erie. Buffalo was
made the county seat, and Augustus Porter was appointed
judge. His associates were Samuel Tupper, Erastus Gran-
ger, James Brooks and Zather Cushing. Asa Ransom was
the first sheriff and Louis Le Couteulx the first clerk of the
county. In 1808 his office was at the corner of Main and
Swan streets, second story. Until the Holland Land Com-
pany had completed the Court House and Jail in 1810,
court was held in Joseph Landon’s tavern, now the Mansion
House site. And many a bit of local gossip was likely well
digested in the Le Couteulx drug store across the way.
After serving one year as County Clerk, Mr. Le Couteulx
was again appointed to the office, Feb. 5, 1811, retaining it
until 1813. Those were stirring days for the little village on
Lake Erie. The spirit of ’76 burst out into new life, and
when the conflicts of 1812 had actually begun, Buffalo wit-
nessed many a notable deed. A few glimpses of Mr. Le
Couteulx, in the years before and during the war, are afford-
ed by the files of the Buffalo Gazette. That his business em-
braced something more than drugs may be gathered fromr— J

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ned by Mr. Walter Oevereux, Buffalo.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
447
the following advertisement, which in quaint display, ap-
peared in the Gazette as early as June, 1812:
“Louis Le Couteulx, at his store in the village of Buffalo,
has just received and offers for sale, for cash, or approved
paper, 10 bbls. Pittsburgh flour, 4 do. Whiskey, 3 do. Pork,
1 do. Hams, 1 box Bacon.—About 25,000 excellent shingles.
—Likewise Drugs & Medicines.’’
As the same announcement was running as late as Sep-
tember of that year, it is hoped that at least a part of the
stock “just received” was changed oftener than the “ad.”
Another of Mr. Le Couteulx’s announcements, in July of
this year of war, was of “Five Kegs Butter.” He evidently
traded in many of the articles kept at a country store, as well
as in drugs and medicines. In December, 1813, we find him
offering “35 dols. reward” for a horse stolen from his stable.
Of greater significance were his relations to public affairs.
On April 15, 1812, as County Clerk, he advertised the re-
ceipt of commissions of officers “appointed by the Honorable
Council of Appointment. The persons thus commissioned,
are requested to attend1 at said office, in order to receive their
qualifications.” At this and subsequent times Mr. Le Cou-
teulx qualified as judges or justices of the peace, Samuel
Tupper, David Eddy and Elias Osborn; Asa Ransom as
sheriff; Joseph Landon, Henry Brothers and Samuel Hill,
Jr., as coroners; and, a little later on, militia officers by the
score. Mr. Le Couteulx was one of a committee appointed
“to support the election of Jonas Williams for Member of
Assembly from Niagara and Chautauqua counties, and
Daniel D. Tompkins for Governor.” He was a delegate to
the Assembly convention held at the house of Gamaliel St.
John, April 17, 1813.
In September, 1812, fearing that the expected attack
upon the village might result in the loss of county records,
Mr. Le Couteulx sent them to Mr. Ellicott for safe keeping.4
4. A letter from Mr. Le Couteulx to Joseph Ellicott regarding this trans-
fer is reproduced in facsimile herewith. The original is owned by Mr. Walter
Devereux of Buffalo, whose courtesy in allowing its present use is hereby
acknowledged.448
MEMOIR OF
A few days later, he was obliged to ask for their return, be-
cause lawyers complained that it was impossible to attend
to the concerns of their clients, if their writs and papers were
stored away in a trunk at Batavia. How their legal des-
cendants who lock the office door and rush off to a ball game,
would scorn such extraordinary attention to business, when
the air was filled with the smell of powder, and hostile In-
dians practiced their war-whoops in nearby forests!
Mr. Le Couteulx suffered heavy financial losses by the
burning of Buffalo in 1813, and having a small property in
Albany, he decided to take up his residence once more in
that city. As his name does not appear in the first direc-
tory of Albany, published in 1813, it is possible that he re-
turned to Albany early in the year of 1814. Towards the
close of the war, he was appointed Forage Master, in the
service of the United States, and held the office until June,
1815. Two years later, his name appears in the Albany di-
rectory of 1817. His employment is given as sergeant-at-
arms of the Senate, and his residence as No. 137 Lion Street.
From 1818 to 1823, he is recorded in the Albany directory
as sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, and his occupation a
druggist doing business at 61 Lion Street. Lion Street is
now called Washington Avenue, and Mr. Le Couteulx
probably lived there over the drug store. The building now
at Washington Avenue has every appearance of being at
least a century old. It has suffered little, if any, alteration,
and is probably the building occupied by Mr. Le Couteulx.
After ten years’ residence in Albany, Mr. Le Couteulx
still loooked fondly towards Buffalo; and in 1824 he re-
turned to the city his energy had helped to build.
Three years before, the Rt. Rev. Henry Conwell, Bishop
of Philadelphia, passed through Buffalo, on his way to the
West, and while here baptized the little daughter of Patrick
O’Rourke, grandfather of Councilman John McManus.
This is the first recorded visit of a priest to Buffalo. Noth-
ing further was done to organize the rapidly-increasing
Catholic population, until 1828, when they were visited by
Father Theodore Badin. Father Badin, who was a French-THE LE COUTEULX ARMS.
Facsimile of the Bookplate Used by Louis Le Couteulx.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
449
man, and the first priest ordained in the United States, was
on his way back to Kentucky. He stayed in Buffalo six
weeks, holding services sometimes in the Court House, and
occasionally at the Le Couteulx home where he was a
guest. Father Badin issued circulars urging the Catholic
population to organize and secure a resident pastor. Moved
by his enthusiasm, Louis Le Couteulx gave as a New Year’s
gift to Bishop Dubois a plot of ground at the corner of Main
and Louis streets for a church, school, pastor’s residence
and cemetery.
This was not the first gift of land made to Buffalo inter-
ests by Louis Le Couteulx. He was living in Albany, when
“An act to provide for the internal navigation of this State”
was passed April 17, 1816, and none knew better than he,
how much such a proposed canal would contribute to the
prosperity of Buffalo. When it was believed that General
Peter B. Porter had persuaded the Canal Commissioners to
make Black Rock the western terminus of the canal, instead
of giving that advantage to Buffalo, Louis Le Couteulx de-
termined to stand by Samuel Wilkeson in his fight for Buf-
falo. A monster meeting was held in Buffalo, and from
the platform went forth this resolution :
Whereas, The late decision of Canal Commissioners to termin-
ate the canal at Black Rock upon the plan proposed by Peter B.
Porter, will be injurious to Buffalo, and in a great measure deprives
the inhabitants of the benefits of the canal. In order to open an
uninterrupted canal, navigable upon the margin of Niagara river,
the undersigned agree to pay to Henry B. Lyman the sums annexed
to their names.”
The firm of Townsend & Coit headed the list with
$1,000, and various other sums were quickly promised.
Louis Le Couteulx gave “one-half an acre of land bounded
on the canal and extending to the highway.”
From 1829 until his death in 1840, Mr. Le Couteulx
made a series of magnificent gifts to church and city of valu-
able lands acquired during his early residence in Buffalo.
As most of this property lies in the vicinity of Main, Vir-
ginia, Morgan and Edward streets, this sketch would not be
complete without more specific reference to that locality.450
MEMOIR OF
Originally, Edward Street consisted of two short streets,
with a jog at Delaware. From Virginia to Delaware the
street was Louis Street. From Delaware to Main it was
narrower and known as Walden Alley.
Perhaps no side street in the city is so much travelled as
Edward Street, connecting as it does the business and resi-
dence sections of the city, and short as it is, few streets in
the city contain more churches, chapels, schools, charitable
institutions, public libraries and places of amusement. As
stated, what is now Edward Street was formerly Louis
Street and Walden Alley. In 1836-37 these streets were
widened and straightened from - Main to Virginia. The
name long continued a source of trouble. In 1855 (May 28)
the Council was petitioned to substitute for the two names,
the new name of Edward Street. Later an amendment was
presented, making the name Louis Street. That in turn
was withdrawn, and on June 18, 1855, the name of Edward
Street was adopted, though as late as 1862 a petition was
before the Council, asking that the name of Louis Street
be restored. One may well ask, for what reason does it
bear its present name, when, on its four short blocks, there
stand a public school (No. 46), the Buffalo Orphan Asy-
lum, the Immaculate Conception church and school, the Le
Couteulx Institute for Deaf Mutes, the St. Mary's Mater-
nity Hospital and Kindergarten, and St. Louis' church and
school; all occupying land in it donated by a man named
Louis Le Couteulx! By rights his name should be given
to it, and not merely to the present obscure Le Couteulx
Street, likely soon to be. obliterated by projected improve-
ments.
It has been my privilege to examine some of the deeds
to these properties. One of their interesting features is a
little map on the deed given by Louis Le Couteulx to the
Immaculate Conception church. It shows that back in the
thirties the extension of Morgan Street was advocated—
which proposed extension is still being talked about, ad-
vocated and opposed.THE LE COUTEULX GRAVES, PINE HILL, BUFFALOLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
451
This property was deeded Jan. 8, 1839, and on Novem-
ber 16th that same year, Louis Le Couteulx passed on to his
eternal reward, aged eighty-four years. His wife had died
about two years before. The following notice of her death
was given in the Buffalo Gazette, Feb. 13, 1838:
“Died. At 7 o'clock Sunday evening, Jane Eliza, wife
of Louis Le Couteulx, Esq., aged 72 years. Funeral this
morning (Thursday, Feb. 13), at 11 o'clock a. m. The
friends of the deceased are requested to attend without fur-
ther notice."
On Thursday, Nov. 19, 1840, a special meeting of the
Common Council was held. Present, the Mayor (Sheldon
Thompson) and Aldermen Comstock, Rumsey, Gardner,
Williams, Gleason and Harrington. The Mayor stated that
the object of calling the special meeting at this time was to
make the necessary arrangements in relation to the funeral
of Louis Le Couteulx, Esq., and, on motion of Alderman
Williams,
“Resolved, That in consideration of the long residence
among us of Louis Le Couteulx, Esq., his exemplary life and
conduct, his many liberal public and private charities, and
his strict honesty of purpose on all occasions, the Board will
testify their respect for him by attending his funeral in a
body."
To perpetuate the memory of Louis Le Couteulx, the
Common Council had his portrait painted and placed with
those of the Mayors of Buffalo in the Council Chamber.
Some years ago, this portrait came into the possession of the
Buffalo Historical Society, and now occupies an honored
place in its portrait hall. By special permission, Miss Jen-
nie Cronyn made a copy of this portrait for the Sisters of St.
Joseph of Buffalo. It is a familiar sight in the parlor of Le
Couteulx Deaf Mute Institute, perhaps the only place in the
city where the name as well as the memory of Louis Le Cou-
teulx has been treasured with love and gratitude.
Honest beyond suspicion, Louis Le Couteulx died uni-
versally regretted in the city he loved. A practical Catholic,452
MEMOIR OF
he distributed his charity without reference to race or reli-
gious belief. In his placid face and mild blue eye were re-
flected that integrity of purpose and gracious affability
which won for him so high a place in the affectionate re-
gards of his fellows. And here, it seems a fitting place to
reproduce this loving tribute in the Buffalo Commercial
Advertiser and Journal of Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1840:
“With the most unaffected sorrow we announce the death
of our venerable and beloved fellow-citizen Louis Etienne
Le Couteulx de Caumont. The model of a perfect gentle-
man of irreproachable life, unostentatious yet diffusive in
his charities, with a purity and simplicity in his manners
bordering on the patriarchal, relieved by the most finished
courtesy, and a firm faith and devout believer in his God,
full of years he sank to rest last night, honored and beloved
By all who knew him. The deceased was born in France
Aug. 24, 1756. His life has been an eventful one, and we
trust some intimate friend will do justice to his memory.
The funeral will be attended from his late residence on Ex-
change Street, next Thursday (Nov. 19, 1840), at 10
o’clock a. m.”
His body was laid to rest in the little cemetery running
from North to Best on Masten Street, and just about where
the Masten Park High School now stands. When the
French and German cemetery was established at Pine Hill,
the remains of Louis Le Couteulx and Jane Eliza, his wife,
were removed from Masten Street and reinterred in the new
burial place.
That Mr. Le Couteulx was a man of culture and taste in
letters is attested by a number of books formerly owned by
him, and now in the possession of the Buffalo Historical
Society. The books are all bound in old tooled calf, indi-
cating an elegance in the library of their former owner, in
striking contrast to the unpolished conditions usual in fron-
tier settlements. The books all contain a handsomely en-
graved book plate, showing the family escutcheon upheldOLD STONE AT THE LE COUTEULX GRAVES, UNITED
GERMAN AND FRENCH CEMETERY,
PINE HILL, BUFFALO.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
453
by two herculean figures, and underneath the name “Le
Couteulx de Caumont.”5
Pierre Alphonse Le Couteulx, the second son of Louis,
married Antoinette Huquot of Eure, France. Their only
surviving heir, Louis Le Couteulx de Caumont, married a
lady in New York City and resides in Lorient, France.
No children blessed the second marriage of Louis Le
Couteulx, and the sons of his first wife were his only heirs.
It will be remembered that Louis Le Couteulx left these two
boys in France with their mother, when he came to America
the second time. They were living in Buffalo, and married
when their father died, but I have not been able to ascertain
when they came to this country.
William B. Le Couteulx, the elder son, must have been a
man of some years when he made his home in Buffalo, for
he was an ex-officer in the French Navy. He was also a
Knight of the Legion of Honor and a Knight of the Order
of St. Louis.
5. In this little collection are: “The Conductor Generalis; or, the office,
duty, and authority of Justice of the Peace .	.	. Clerks of Assize, etc.,”
by a Gentleman of the Law, Philadelphia. Printed for Robert Campbell, 1792;
Delile’s “L’Arithmetique methodique et demontree,” Paris, 1779; Delile’s
“Operations des changes des principales places de l’Europe,” by Joseph R.
Ruelle, Lyons, 1774, and “Methode abrigee et facile pour apprendre la Geogra-
phic,” with curious folding maps, printed at Paris, 1770. This book was pre-
sented to Mr. Le Couteulx in 1774, as a note on the title-page attests, by the
Abbe Raynal. It would be interesting to know how intimate were the rela-
tions between the Abbe Raynal and Mr. Le Couteulx. The presentation of the
book shows that they were friends before Mr. Le Couteulx came to America.
Mr. Le Couteulx was eighteen years old when this book was given to him,
and had we fuller knowledge of his earlier years, it might shed some light
upon this celebrated and singular character in letters. Of the books above
mentioned, the “Conductor Generalis” and Ruelle’s treatise on the exchange
values of European moneys, were given to the Historical Society in 1888, by
the Hon. E. S. Hawley. The “Arithmetique” was given to Mr. B. A. Man-
chester by Mr. Le Couteulx, 1840; and by Mrs. Manchester to the Historical
Society in 1867. In 1904, a lady in New York City gave to the Society, the
“Treatise on Geography” which the Abbe Raynal presented to his friend in
France. The book disappeared at the death of its owner, who had treasured
it for sixty-six eventful years. After an absence of sixty-five years, the prodi-
gal returns to repose alongside its companions of a century ago, and to keep
green the memory of that prince of companions and friends, Louis Le Couteulx
de Caumont.454
MEMOIR OF
LETTERS OF LOUIS LE COUTEULX
WHICH CAUSED HIS CAPTURE
Extract from a letter from Mr. Le Couteulx to Mr. Garrett Got-
tringue at Philadelphia, dated December i, 1796:
Bishop Carroll at our request has wrote to the Clergy of Canada,
praying them to set some persons to collect money in Montreal and
Quebec for the erection of our Church. I wish the English would
admit me there this winter, I would parle Francois among the Cana-
dians, and call on every one of them for something, but I am told
that the British Government has given strict orders to Governor
Prescott, not to let a single Frenchman enter Canada. I hope to see
the day when they will penetrate into that Country without their
leave.
# I am sorry chiefly at this present conjuncture to see the President
withdraw from office. I wish he had remained until the War of
Europe was over, or until the removal of Congress to the Federal
City. I am afraid the Peace and prosperity of this Country will be
disturbed by the French, owing to the Treaty with the English. The
French would digest anything but that, but they are like the sensitive
plant, the least thing offends them.
I hear the Spaniards have given them in exchange for Spanish St.
Domingo, Louisiana and the two Floridas. I believe they want
Canada likewise, for to have a footing at each extremity of the Con-
tinent. Their views for it, time will show. The Spaniards are de-
termined to have Gibraltar from the English, or else they never will
listen to any terms of Peace or accommodation with England.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Le Couteulx to Mr. Rodolph Tellier
at New York, dated March 27, 1797:
[Translation.]
My wish is that the Republic do send into the Gulph of St. Law-
rence in the month of June next, Ten Ships of the Line, with five to
six thousand Troops; they would be sure of taking Canada. It is
astonishing that since the commencement of the War, they have not
thought of it. The Canadians, weary since the year 1756 of the
British Government wish for nothing better than to unite themselves
to France. Adet should write to the Directory upon the subject.
It is the wish of all the Canadians. The Canadians ought to send a
Deputation to the Directory.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
455
Extract from a letter from the same to the same dated 6th May,
1797:
[Translation.]
In a letter which I wrote five weeks ago, to Mr. De Liancourt, I
mentioned to him, that ten ships of the line and six thousand soldiers
were more than sufficient to take Canada from the English: that I
hoped that the Directory would prepare for an expedition early in
this summer: that there were 197,000 Canadians, who were all true
frenchmen. And I further observed, that France should make her-
self Master of the Imperial City of Hambourgh, by sending a
Squadron of ships up the Elbe; and that she ought also to intro-
duce into England 50,000,000 of counterfeit Bank Notes as a retalia-
tion.
Extract from a letter from the same to the same, dated 21st May,
1797:
[Translation.]
May France succeed in amusing England with an Invasion, and
send into the Gulph of St Lawrence, this Summer, a Squadron of
Ships and a sufficient number of Troops, for the purpose of taking
that country from the English.
I have observed with pleasure that Spain has ceded to France, in
return for the Spanish part of St. Domingo, Louisiana and the two
Floridas. The Whites may cultivate the land in the two Floridas and
Louisiana, but they cannot in the Colonies, which before twenty
years are elapsed, will become, like the Coasts of Barbary an Asylum
for Pirates. The Negroes, when free, will employ themselves solely
in robbing on the Sea. This country will be under the necessity of
making Treaties with them, similar to those which they have already
made with the Dey of Algiers, Tunis, and Morrocco.
I would bet two to one that what I remark to you here, will
happen.
Extract from a letter from the same to the same, dated 9th June,
1797:
[Translation.]
I should not be at all surprised to hear of the arrival of the
Squadron of French ships in the Gulph of St Lawrence. I wish it
most sincerely for the sake of the poor Canadians, of the greater
part of whom, the English make Beasts of Burthen.
I would wish the English to lose all their possessions in America
and in India. Tipposybe [Tippoo-Sahib] should treat them as the
Chinese do, that is, permit them to have but one port, and not an
inch of ground beyond the Walls.
Till I have the pleasure of giving you the fraternal embrace, I
remain, etc.456
MEMOIR OF
Extract from a letter from Mr. Le Couteulx to P. Stephen
Duponceau, dated July 6th, 1797:
[Translation.]
I had flattered myself with the expectation that the French Re-
public would have sent this month, into the Gulph of St Lawrence, a
Squadron of ten Ships of the line, and six or eight thousand Soldiers,
to take from the haughty English, Canada, Nova Scotia, Newfound-
land, and Generally all that they possess on this Continent. The
Canadians burn with impatience to return under the French Govern-
ment. I wish most sincerely that they should be independent, and
under the protection of France in time of War.
Extract from the postscript of a letter from Mr. Le Couteulx to
Citizen Rodolph Tellier, at New York dated 27th July 1797:
[Translation.]
I had flattered myself with the expectation that a Squadron of
French ships would arrive in the Gulph of St Lawrence this Summer,
to take Canada, as well as Nova Scotia, and the Banks of New-
foundland, from the haughty English.
About what are the Directory and our Ships employed?
Translation from the postscript of a letter from Mr. Le Couteulx,
to Mr. C. F. Volney, Dated December 1797:
I wish much, dear Country-man, that Canada should be wrested
from the English. Six Thousand French Soldiers would imme-
diately take it from this haughty Nation. The poor Canadians groan
under the yoke of the British Government, and are their Beasts of
Burthen. They keep them in ignorance and poverty. I wish with
all my heart that the Directory would send into the Gulph of St
Lawrence in the month of May next, a Squadron of Seven or eight
Ships of the Line, with the number of soldiers above mentioned, and
fire-arms and Ammunition for the good Canadians. From the in-
formation which I have received from a number of good Republicans
as well as Acadians as Canadians, who have been true, France might
reckon on thirty or forty thousand men who would immediately upon
the disembarkation of the Troops, enroll themselves with alacrity.
There are now at Quebec from twelve to fifteen hundred Soldiers,
and the rest of Lower and Upper Canada, from two to three thou-
sand, including both the English and Canadians. The latter would
soon desert for the good cause, which is that of Sacred Liberty. In
a word, the Canadians are really good and hospitable, but dupes of
the English and Scotch, who keep them in a state of dependence.
The Directory, I dare to hope, will interest themselves in the fate of
these good people, who groan under the weight of abuses, such as
oppression, tythes, Corvees, and other Shackles. The Canadians
cannot forget that they are French men, and they wish to a man, to
return under the French Government, and to be free like their
Brothers.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
457
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE IN THE
CASE OF MR. LE COUTEULX
Philadelphia Feb. 28th 1800.
Dear Sir: This will be handed to you by Mr. Le Couteulx, a
French Gentleman, but who resided many years in the United States
and is naturalized. He is going to Detroit, and on his way wishes to
see the Great Falls. Allow me to introduce him to you as a Polite
and Friendly Man to your Civilities.
With much respect, I remain Dear Sir,
Your most obedient servant
Timothy Pickering.
To Major Rivardi.
[Commandant, Fort Niagara.]
Fort Niagara Oct. 7th 1800.
Dear Sir:	I this moment received a letter from Mr. Louis Le
Couteulx, which I beg leave to enclose. Another letter which that
gentleman delivered to me at his arrival, I beg also to submit to your
Majesty’s perusal.
You will see that Mr. Le Couteulx being a naturalized American
particularly recommended to me by the Secretary of State, I must
feel interested in what concerns him; and as I shall have to notify
my Superiors of his detention, I request you will have the goodness
as far as is consistent with service to inform me of the motives
which induced you to keep him as a Prisoner.
With the most respectful regard, I have the honor to be, Dear Sir,
Your most obedient and very humble servant,
J. J. Ulrich Rivardi,
Major 1st Regt U. S. Art. and Eng’rs Commanding.
P. S. Would you have the kindness to give the enclosed to Mr.
Le Couteulx.
Colonel McDonell, Commander, Fort George.
[Fort George, Oct. 7, 1800.]
Sir : As it appears by the enclosures in your letter of this date,
that Mr. Louis Le Couteulx, detained by me at Fort George, is a
Naturalized American, and has been introduced to you by the late
Secretary of State of the United States: it is painful to me to be
able to afford you no other information for your Superiors, than that458
MEMOIR OF
Mr. Le Couteulx, being a Frenchman, who has left France since the
period designated by the Alien Law, and being without a Pass-port
from one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State, my duties
require that I should detain him as a Prisoner, until the pleasure of
His Excellency The Commander in Chief upon my Report, shall be
notified to me.
I have the honor to be with the highest regard, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
J. McDonell,
Lt. Col. 2nd Batt. R. C. Vol’rs Commanding.
Major Rivardi, Commander of Fort Niagara.
Province of Lower Canada.
To His Excellency Robert Shore Milnes, Esq., Lieutenant Gov-
ernor of Lower Canada.
May it please Your Excellency:
I have been this day honored with Your Excellency’s Commands
directing me to peruse the several papers which have been found
upon the person of Louis Le Couteulx with the written information
which has been given respecting him, and to report as soon as possi-
ble my Opinion—whether they afford sufficient “matter to warrant
the Commitment of Mr. Le Couteulx by Civil Power, and if not,
whether there are any and what means of detaining him until His
Majesty’s Pleasure is known.”
In obedience to these Commands of Your Excellency, I have at-
tentively perused the papers and written information to which they
refer, and have now the honor to report my opinion upon the several
points referred.
The necessity of detaining Mr. Le Couteulx until His Majesty’s
Pleasure is Known, if legally practicable, is evident from the Letter
of His Grace the Duke of Portland of the 7th of June 1798 to General
Prescott, grounded on information received from His Majesty’s
Minister Plenipotentiary at Philadelphia. But as the Alien Act of
this Province only permits the commitment of an Alien to Custody
for the purpose of immediate transportation from the Province, and
as no Charge on Oath is made against Mr. Le Couteulx, I do not
conceive that he can be legally and effectually detained by the Civil
Power, but at the same time I am clearly of opinion that he may be
legally detained in Military Custody as a Prisoner of War.
Mr. Le Couteulx, in his examination, declares himself to be by
birth a Frenchman; that he first came to America in 1786, went back
to France in 1789, and returned to America in 1790.
According, therefore, to the well known Maxim, “Nemo potest
exnere Patriam”—a Maxim of universal Law, and of the Laws of
England and of this Country in particular, Mr. Le Couteulx being
born a Frenchman must remain such, and being the subject of a
Power with whom we are now at open War, he is liable to be de-
tained as a Prisoner of War. For Enemies continue such wherever
they happen to be; the place in which they are found does not vary
their quality; that is determined by their political ties. The CitizenLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
459
of any State wherever he may be, is the Enemy of all those with
whom his nation is at war. And upon these principles it is said to
have been determined by all the judges of England that if a French-
man enters the King’s Dominions, after war is proclaimed against
his nation, his Person and goods may be seized even if he be driven
there by a tempest.
Mr. Le Couteulx has alledged that he is a naturalized Subject of
the United States of America, according to their Laws, and he says
in his Examination “that in 1787, he took the necessary oaths to the
United States of America, before a Magistrate”—By which I prin-
cipally understand the Oath of Allegiance.
Admitting this to be the fact in its fullest extent, I do not think
it can in any shape effect the case in question.
The Allegiance which Mr. Le Couteulx has sworn to the United
States of America must be held to be barely local allegiance. And
whatever may be the Laws of the United States in this respect, they
can only be considered by us as affording Mr. Le Couteulx a right of
Citizenship within the Limits of the United States, for, as we hold
“that the natural born Subject of one Prince cannot by any act of his
own, no not by swearing Allegiance to another, put off or discharge
his natural Allegiance to the former,” to admit that his Majesty or
his officers are bound to notice any Statute of the United States and
in consequence thereof to consider Mr. Le Couteulx in any other
light, than that of a subject of France is to admit that the States of
America have a right to Legislate for the Empire of Great Britain.
I am, for the reasons above stated, of opinion, that the papers
found upon the person of Mr. Le Couteulx and the written informa-
tion which has been given respecting him do not warrant his Com-
mitment by the Civil Power. But I am further of opinion that Mr.
Le Couteulx being an Alien Enemy may legally be detained as a
Prisoner of War, until His Majesty’s Pleasure is known.
All which, nevertheless, is most respectfully submitted to your
Excellency’s consideration by Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and
Most humble Servant,
J. Sewell,
Attorney General of Lower Canada.
Quebec, 12th November 1800.
Quebec 19th Nov. 1800.
My Lord: In consequence of your Grace’s letter to General
Prescott of the 7th June, 1798, marked Most secret, and the Extract
of a Letter, therein referred to, from Mr. Liston dated Philadelphia
2nd April 1798, It appears that orders were given by General Prescott
to the Officers commanding the several Posts in Upper Canada to
apprehend Mr. Le Couteulx the t Frenchman therein mentioned,
should he be found within the Province, and either send him to Que-
bec under sufficient Escort, or detain him in confinement until direc-
tions could be given respecting him. In conformity to the above
orders, Mons’r Le Couteulx was arrested at Fort George opposite
Niagara on the 7th of October last, by order of Lieut. Colonel
McDonell of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Volunteers, Com-460
MEMOIR OF
manding at that Post, having under his Charge a considerable quan-
tity of Merchandize, with which, as he said, he meant to proceed to
Detroit. The season being far advanced Lieut. Colonel McDonell
judged it necessary to send him immediately to Quebec, where he
arrived on the 4th Instant. The case of Mons’r Le Couteulx was,
upon my application to His Excellency Lieut. Governor Milnes,
referred to the Attorney General of this Province, who was of
Opinion that there did not appear sufficient matter to warrant the
Commitment of him by the Civil Power, but that Mr. Le Couteulx
being an Alien Enemy, may be legally detained as a Prisoner of War
until His Majesty’s Pleasure is known. This Opinion I have
adopted, and shall wait Your Grace’s further Instructions respecting
him.
There being no prison here for the Custody of Prisoners of War,
I applied to Lieut. Governor Milnes for accommodations for
Monsieur Le Couteulx, and he has supplied me with two convenient
rooms in the Common Goal of the District, which are wholly appro-
priate to his use. He is now confined there as a Prisoner of War,
with a subaltern’s allowance of Fuel and Candles, and half a Dollar
per day to furnish himself with other necessaries; there is a Centinel
over the Goal and it is contiguous to one of the Garrison Guards.
I think it necessary to inform Your Grace that altho’ no Charge
upon Oath can be made against Mons’r Le Couteulx by any person in
Canada, of Offences or Practices against our Government, yet, from
the year 1794 to the present hour, Mons’r Le Couteulx, from a variety
of information, has ever been considered as an object of very great
suspicion.
A Copy of the Attorney General’s Report on the Case of Mr. Le
Couteulx, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for Your Grace’s
information, having also sent a copy thereof to Mr. Liston His
Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary at Philadelphia.
I think it is my duty to inform Your Grace, that upon the arrest
of Mons’r Le Couteulx, an application was made on his behalf by
Major Rivardi, Commandant of the American Post of Niagara, of
which I enclose your Grace a copy, with a Copy of Lieut Colonel Mc-
Donell’s answer. As this letter seems to intimate that an application
may be made on the part of the United States, claiming Mons’r Le
Couteulx as an American subject, I should be glad to receive Your
Grace’s Instructions as to the conduct to be observed by me in such
a case; If in the Interim, before I am honored with Your Grace’s
Instructions, any application of this kind should be made, it is my
intention to return for answer that Monsieur Le Couteulx cannot
be considered by us in any other light, than that of a Natural born
French Subject.
A Box of Papers very voluminous belonging to Monsieur Le
Couteulx are under the inspection of two Magistrates, assisted by
His Majesty’s Law Servants; It is impossible to say what they all
contain from their bulk and numbers, but enough has already been
read to indicate the Political Principles of Monsieur Le Couteulx.
Among the papers there is a Letter from Le Couteulx & Co.
Bankers at Paris, introducing the celebrated Anarchist Volney to
Mons’r Le Couteulx and expressing their conviction that Mr. Vol-
ney’s known attachment to the Revolution will be sufficient induce-LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
461
ment to pay him every attention in his power; and there is a Corres-
pondence between Monsieur Le Couteulx and Mr. Volney and the
Due de Liancourt written in terms of great intimacy and friendship.
There are other correspondences with people apparently the greatest
Partizans of the French Revolution at different periods.
There is also a paper in his own handwriting, expressing his wish
for the conquest and humiliation of Great Britain by the Arms of
France, and a Plan of a Republican Government, but whether this be
Monsieur Le Couteulx Idea of one, or a Copy of the Constitution of
any existing Republic, there has not yet been time to ascertain.
As soon as all the Papers can be Examined and arranged, the
whole substance shall be transmitted without loss of time to Your
Grace.
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, My Lord, Your
Grace’s Most Obedient and
Most humble Servant,
P. Hunter.
His Grace, The Duke of Portland.
Quebec, 2nd January 1801.
My Lord :	Since I had the honor of writing to your Grace of the
19th of November, the whole of the Letters and Papers which were
found in Couteulx’s possession; have been carefully examined, and
such parts of them as most strongly indicate his wishes and contain
his proposals for the Invasion of Canada by the Enemy, have been
selected. These selections with translations, I herewith transmit to
your Grace.
A number of other Letters were found, wherein he expresses his
hatred and enmity to the British Nation and Constitution, in terms
of violent invective.
It is to be observed that all his letters were written whilst he
resided within the territories of the United States, nor does there
appear Evidence of his ever having been in any part of Canada, or of
his having any Correspondence except of a private nature, with his
Majesty’s Subjects in that Country.
The whole of the Letters that have been selected, were copied
with his own hand, and it was from these copies that the Selections,
which I hav transmitted to Your Grace were taken.
I have also transmitted the copy of a Letter from Mr. Hamilton
of New York, respecting the pretended privileges claimed by Cou-
teulx, as a Citizen of the United States, that letter with some others
of no importance, addressed to Couteulx himself, were received by
me from Major General Burton at Montreal, so late as the 17th of
the last month.
I have only to add, that the last mentioned Letters were opened
and examined by two Magistrates and that the whole of the papers
and Letters found in the possession of, or belonging to Couteulx,
remain under Seal in their Custody.
I have the honor to be with the highest respect, My Lord,
Your Grace’s Most obedient and humble Servant,
P. Hunter.
His Grace, The Duke of Portland.462
MEMOIR OF
York, Upper Canada, ioth August, 1801.
My Lord : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace’s Dispatch of the 9th of May. Agreeably to Your Grace’s
Orders, I shall detain Monsieur Le Couteulx as a Prisoner of War
so long as hostilities continue between England and France.
My Lord, Your Grace’s Most obedient and Most humble servant,
P. Hunter.
His Grace, the Duke of Portland.
LETTERS OF LOUIS LE COUTEULX TO
JOSEPH ELLICOTT AND OTHERS.
Buffalo July 19, 1803.
Joseph Ellicot, Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir:	I got here safe on friday last with my family. I
hope yours is well.
Being desirous of becoming purchaser of Lot No. 2 on the East
side of the Main Street facing Mr. Palmer’s house in this Town,
with a determination to build on it in the course of next spring, I
shall be very much obliged to you to let me know in answer the
price and terms of payment for my Government in so doing youll
oblige in a particular manner,
Your most obed. serv’
Louis Le Couteulx.
I should be glad also to purchase in the vicinity of this Town a
small farm containing about 80 Acres. I wish I was near my friends
Theopilas Casenove [Theophilas Cazenove] & Vanstaphurst I cer-
tainly would persuade them to erect a house of worship and a free
school in this Place.
There is a possibility of making a good harbour at Buffalo in
spite of the Barr which is at its entrance. I am sure that Yankes
can remove it, if Hollanders will not undertake it.
Yours,
L. Le C’lx.
Nova Amsterdam July 20th 1803
Joseph Ellicot Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Your kind letter under date of the 16th inst. came
to hand this morning, and in answer I will observe to you that
although the price of two hundred & fifty dollars for the Town lot
No. 2 with an out lot of four Acres up Buffaloe Creek is excessively
high in this wild country, nevertheless, I am willing to take them
at that price, being anxious of becoming a purchaser in this PlaceLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
463
and very probably an inhabitant before long. I have accordingly
paid into the hands of Mr. Thompson, of this Town, who will remit
it to you, the sum of fifty dollars, being a fifth part of the purchase
money, and the remainder I shall pay you in equal instalments with
interest from the date of the article of agreement which I request
you to draw and send to mz at Detroit, intending to leave this Place
the first fair wind on board of the Wilkinson Capt. Connelly [John
Conley].
In the course of next spring, or sooner, I shall erect a house
of the dimensions you mention, on the Town lot and will fence and
improve one lot within the specified time of eighteen months. I
shall take it as a particular favor if you would include in my out
lot the spring which is in the open meadow west of the Town Plott.
you’ll oblige me also to let me know the price of the Town lots up
the Main Street, for my Government. I will write by duplicate to
my friends Messrs. Vanstaphorst on my arrival at Detroit & advise
them to build here a house of worship and a free school which will
induce many people to come to this Place to live. I will also let
them know the possibility, either of removing the Barr which is at
the mouth of Buffaloe Creek, so as to make it a safe harbour for
all the vessels that navigate on the lake or cut a canal from the
mouth of said creek to Black Rock, this place will become of much
consequence if the Proprietors will sacrifice a little money in im-
provements, and encourage mecanicks to settle here. I know many
that are willing to become inhabitants, but are not able to purchase
Town Lots, they think $50. is a great deal too much.
I remain very truly, your most obed’t servant,
Louis Le Couteulx
New Amsterdam, Novber 5th 1804.
Joseph Ellicot Esqre, Batavia:
Respected Sir:	Permit me to drop you a few lines, for to
request you, to let me have Lot No. 51 adjoining Mr. Crows, oppo-
site Mr. Wells on the Road to Major Perrie’s mill. Mr. Legget,
a man from Canada, has taken it ever since last June, but I find he
has not done anything on it worth speaking, except girding and cut-
ting a few trees, if you’ll let me have it, I will certainly improve it
this winter and erect a neat frame House for a family, forty Acres
is but a small farm, if Lot No. 52 which joins it is not taken I
should take it as a great favor if you would let me have it, which
would make me in the whole Eighty Acres.
I remain with much Esteem, your most obedt servt,
Louis Le Couteulx
N. B. be so kind as to favor me with an answer.
Nova Amsterdam March 3d 1805.
Joseph Ellicot Esqre, Batavia:
Respected Sir:	I have the honour of informing you of my hav-
ing purchased this day, from Mr. James Woodard of the 12 mile464
MEMOIR OF
Creek, for a sum of fifty two Dollars, all his improvements on a
track of land of 163 Acres, more or less, adjoining Major Perrie’s
farm which Tract he has relinquish’d to me. I beg of you to con-
sider me as the real purchaser, and request you to favor me with
a few lines on the subject.
I remain with much Esteem, your most obedt servt,
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. Mr. James Woodard informs me that the price of the
tract above mentioned was 3 Dolls per Acre payable in ten years.
Buffalo April 8, 1807.
Joseph Ellicott Esqre Batavia:
Dear Sir:	I have before me your most esteem’d favors of the
1st of December 1806 and 27th of March. This last, brought me a
Handbill, containing the Republican nomination for Governor, Leut*-
Governor, Senate, and members of Assembly, which I have on re-
ceipt pasted up in Mr. Landon’s Barr-room.
I observe with sorrow that the Lewisites and their adherents,
have rejected the Bill for dividing the county of Genessee, and I
rejoice to see that my friends John Taylor, Thomas Dieu, Dewit
Clinton, and Simeon Dewit, are in favor of this Place. I have no
doubt in my mind but that we will carry the present nomination,
and that next session of the Legislature we shall get a County and
fix the Court House and Goal at Buffalo.
I have the pleasure to inform you that we had last evening at
MooFs Tavern a meeting of Republican Electors, for supporting at
the approaching Election.
D1 D. Tompkins for Governor, John Brown for Lieutt-Governor,
Alex Rhea for Senator, Asah Warner, Philetus Swift and William
Rumsay for members of the Assembly.
Old Mr. Eddy of the 18 mile Creek chosen Chairman and Augus-
tus Porter, Secretary. The number of Republican votes amounted
to sixty-four, two copies of the Resolution have been sent to Can-
andagua and Albany, for Insertion in the public papers.—I shall spare
no pains for to gain as many as I can to our Party, which I hope
will triumph in spite of the Federalists. Capt Lee from Niagara,
D1 Chapin, Cyrenus Chapen, E. Walden, Gillett & others have held
at Barkers Tavern last Evening, a Federal meeting, their number
was very small indeed.
George Keith, an honest young man (a joiner by Trade), who
has resided nearly two years in this village, has desired me to write
you for to let him have a couple of Town Lots No. 80 & 81, bounded
by Schimmelpennick’s Avenue. Mr. Levy Strong, has likewise re-
quested me to ask you for the Town lot No. 78 adjoining his own,
you’ll be so kind as to inform me whether they may have them.
Your first letter mentioned that on your return to Batavia, from
here, your avocations had been so numerous as to prevent you from
taking into consideration the price and Terms of sales for the Out
lot No. 1. I shall take it as a very great kindness, if you’ll give me a
favorable answer.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
465
I recommend myself very particularly to your friendship and
remain most Truely, your affectionate serv’t,
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. be so good as to present my respects to Mrs. Ellicott.
I do certify, that Mr. Henry Lake, has made & constructed
agreeably to the true intent and meaning of the Articles of Agree-
ment made and concluded on the eighth day of August, 1807, between
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, and said Henry Lake, one hundred and
twenty-one perches and fifteen links, of crossways, in the Road lead-
ing from Vanstophurst avenue, in the Village of Buffalo to the first
House at the Indian Village, which have been fully compleated on
the Eighth day of this month, in Testimony whereof I have here-
unto set my hand, this Tenth day of October A. D. 1807.
Louis Le Couteulx.
Buffalo Octber nth, 1807
Joseph Ellicott Esqre Batavia:
Dear Sir :	Owing to, a severe indisposition which has confined
me ten Days, to my room, I have been prevented from answering
your friendly letters under date of the 8th of last month & 4th Inst.
I observe in the first that you have granted to Messrs Stephen &
Barmett Stilman, Town Lots No. 49 & 50, which I will add to the
numbers already granted & sold, and in your second, I take notice
that Mr. Hubbard has applied to you for out lot No. 25 in favor of
Simeon Hubbard, and also for out lot No. 145 for Thos Houston.
When Mr. Hubbard calls on me, I shall attend to his business.
Mr. Henry Lake having called on me last Friday morning for to
inspect the crossways he had made between this Village & that of
the Indians. I have examined them very attentively from the corner
of your ten acre field until I got to the Indian Doctor’s House,—
which is the first at the entrance of the Indian Village, and have
found them completely finished according to the tenure of the agree-
ment made between you & Him. I have found but very few places,
indeed, where I could press my two fingers between the Logs. I
have not, my Dear Sir, seen better crossways any where. Mr. Lake's
crossways are generally pretty straight and even, made up of good
logs, upon the whole you would be pleased to see them, if I know
anything about crossways, he has done you justice. There is as
much odds between his & those of Chapin, as there is between dark-
ness and light. Those of Chapin are very uneven and crooked and
the logs very remote from each other, which makes it dangerous for
Horsemen to go over them, particularly in the Night Time, many
of his crossways should be altered, otherwise they become of no use.
Mr. Henry Lake and Peter his brother, held the chain, and as they
measured I counted and marked every rods and links, beginning at
the crossway this side of the Indian Village until we reached the
corner of your ten acre field, and found one hundred and twenty-
one perches and fifteen links.—I have observed that he has made
in one place over the long crossways, over the swamp four rods by466
MEMOIR OF
one for the passage .of two carriages abreast. He has likewise cut
forty two Stumps and roots from a foot to three in Diameter, he
had left them on the crossways for me to look at. He has likewise
cut a piece of a road round a crossway of Chapins, measuring twenty
one rods by one in breadth, he has also covered tolerably well n.
I say Eleven rods and thirty five links of crossways where you had
directed him.—I conclude by observing to you, that I have examined
the whole of his work with as much attention as if he had done it
for me.
I should not have known there was a comet if you had not had
the politeness to mention it to me. I have seen it very plain with
the naked Eye.
the out Lot No. 25 fronting the main road has no improvement
made on it, only the Timber is mostly cut down on the forepart.
This Lot is between Huston & White. White told me this morning
that he had 2V2 acres cleared on his out Lot No. 26 & would clear
the rest this fall, reserving some Trees. He intends to build his
House next week.
I will take it as a favor if you’ll send me a map of the Holland
purchase,
I remain with much esteem & regard your real well wisher
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. My wiffe presents you her best compliments, be so good
as to present mine to your Brother.
Buffalo, Oct. 29th 1807.
Joseph Ellicot Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Mr. Leech, Clark to Jos. Gillett, a very worthy young
man, who owns some property at Home, and who gets $25 Dolls
monthly for his wages exclusive of his board, has called on me, a few
days ago for to grant him the Town Lot No. 46.—I have observed
to him that He might have it, provided you had not disposed of the
same. I shall wait your answer.—Mr. Leech has assured me that
if he gets it, he will make you one or two payments very shortly,
and conform himself to the conditions which I have Read to him.
Levy Strong & George A. Laith, both carpenters and partners,
have also applied to me for the out Lots No. 135 & 146, which I have
promised them, but not until I heard from you, as you might have
granted them. They both promise to make you a payment in a few
months.—Since their application for those two out lots, Mr. Thos.
Houston called on me, on Saturday last, and with an imperious
Tone, asked me whether I did not know that the out lot No. 46,
which I had promised to Levy Strong had been granted to him,
along ago, by Mr. Joseph Ellicott, with the outlot No. 147. I
answered him, that you had sent me a transcript of all the sales,
both of the out lots and Town lots, and had not seen his name
except to the out Lot No. 24 on which his House and nursery stands.
He replied that certainly you had made a mistake. I answered him
that there was no mistake committed in your office, he told me that
he had given no orders to Hubbard for the out lot No. 149. He saysLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
467
that He had his own views in applying for it. Houston went on &
said that he had done more good to the Holland Company’s purchase
by his coming into it, than any other man. I asked him what he
had done, that he should praise himself so much. He answered that
He had planted several nurserrys with apple Trees, and that his
intention was to plant those out Lots that He thought you had
granted Him, likewise with Apple Trees. I observed him that Back
lots were equally as good for that purpose, and less liable to be
plundered. He left me very much displeased, and said He would
write you on the subject, observing that if he could not have it as
he could wish, it was Time for him to move away & concluded by
saying that his money was as good as that of any other man.
The Inhabitants are cutting their firewood and House frames, &c
&c &c on the outlots. Capt Pratt got all his House frame on one
or two of the out Lots near Town, and Hersey, the Tanner, has
done the same on the Lot adjoining Despars, & mine. I fear it will
discourage people from purchasing Lots when they find neither wood
for fire, fencing, or building. An Advertisement under your own
Hand would prevent these depredations, which are unlawful.
I remain with much Esteem Dear Sir your real well wisher
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe presents you her compliments & begs to be remembered
to you. Please to excuse my bad writing, being as yet very unwell,
having had a relapse.
Lake has begun to cover & alter Chapin’s crossways. Lot No. 96
is Vacant.
Buffalo Novem 24th 1807.
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Your most esteem’d favor of the 9th Instant came
safe to hand on the 17th day following.
I have granted to Mr. Elizat Leech, the Town Lot No. 46. and
have entered it to his name in my book at that date.—he promises
to comply with the conditions I have given him, and proposes to
wait on you shortly, for an article.
I have perused, sealed, and delivered to Thos. Nuston, the letter
you sent me.—All the improvements he has made on one of the
two out lots you had entered to him, on the 20th of June last, are
two or three days choping.—He told me to inform you that he had
given up the idea of doing any more work on the aforesaid out lots,
and that you mjght> regrant them. He told me likewise to tel you,
that it was not in his power, at present, to make you the small pay-
ment which you had required of him, observing to me, that He had
sold to Mr. Wintermoot at Fort Erie Rapids a yoke of oxen, payable
on the first day of April next, and that he would wait on you at that
epoch, for to make you a full payment for the Lot on which his
house stands.
Ebenezer Walden, told me some time ago, he had relinquished
his out lot No. 76 to Zenos Barker and that he would take the next468
MEMOIR OF
lot No. 75. Be so good as to inform me whether you have dis-
posed of it.
Zenos Barker desires me to let you know that as soon as he had
collected the taxes, he would remit you a sum of $50. He wishes
to know what are your terms, & conditions of sale for the house
which Ewing has erected, on Town Lot No. 41.—Capt Lee at
Niagara, is not worth a groat. I am told that young Mr. Phelps, to
whom he owes $8000. levelled an execution on everything that he had.
Be so good as to inform me whether I may grant to Levy Strong
and George Keith, carpenters and copartners, both very clever men,
and doing well, the out Lots No. 155 & 147.
Hubbard has given up the notion of taking the out Lot No. 25.
because the Timber has been culled, and what remains are crooked
chestnut trees, which are not fit to make rails, and some Dog and
Iron wood, the upper part of this lot is very sandy, and the back
part very uneven and swampy. Such as the lot is, I should like to
own it on account of its proximity to my out lots, which are in the
rear of it. Should you be willing to let me have it on reasonable
terms, I shall consider it as an additional favor conferred on me—
the price which is quoted in the Book you have confided to my care
is $12 p acre.
My wiffe truly thankful for your kind remembrance of her,
desires me to present you her best compliments and her good wishes
for your happiness.
I remain, with much Esteem & Regard your, devoted servant
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. Being often asked what are the lowest prices of the outer
Lots, hereunder described, I request you to have the goodness to let
me know in your next, so that I may satisfy the Inquirers.
No. 52. 53. 54. 56. 62. 63. 64. 74. 75. These out Lots are on the
East side of Big Buffaloe Creek.
No. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. These out lots are on the
west side of said creek.
Buffalo, Jany 1st 1808
Joseph Ellicott Esqre Batavia:
Dear Sir:	Mr. Vincent Grant remitted me on his arrivaLhere
your kind favor of the 24th of last month. I have entered at that
date, in my book, to his son, William Grant, two out Lots No. 79
& 80, which you have sold to him at the rate of $14 per acre and
have creditted him of $30 which his father has paid in your office,
in part of the purchase money of the aforesaid out lots. Mr. Vincent
Grant told me that you had granted him the out Lot No. 74 for $6
per acre, and requested me to enter it to him at the date of your
Letter, which I promised him to do, not doubting his veracity.
Mr. Henry Ketchum, by profession a Carpenter, Lately come
from little York, in Upper Canada, has applied to me for the Town
Lot No. 51. it is as handsome a building spot as any in the village,
and very well situated, fronting three streets with a full view of the
court Hospital, if you have not reserved it for yourself, or any ofLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
469
your friends, have the goodness to inform me whether I may grant
it to him.
Permit me, dear Sir, at the beginning of this year, to offer you
my sincere vows, for your happiness, may the Great Architect of the
Universe, preserve your health many years and crown all your under-
takings, is the sincere wish of,
Your devoted and faithful servant
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. My wife presents you her best compliments.
Buffalo March ioth. 1808
Joseph Ellicott Esqre Batavia:
Dear Sir: Being deprived of the pleasure of receiving any of
your favors, the present is to inform you that I have granted last
Evening to Dr. Daniel Chapin of this Village, the Town Lot No.
18, rated, at $50, and to his son James, the Town Lot No. 58, rated
at $30.—I have entered their names in my book, and will give them
the Terms and conditions of sale this day. Dr. Daniel Chapin has
requested Mr. I. Landon to remit you one fifth of the purchase
money on each Lot.
I have likewise granted and entered to Henry Ketchum, on the
1st of February Last, the out lot No. 17, rated at $20 per acre, he
has cleared great part of it and is going to build immediately on it. he
has brought on the spot, Bricks, Shingles and other materials to
that effect. He promises to pay the fifth of the purchase money in
a couple of month.
I remain with much esteem, your devoted servt,
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. My wiffe desires me to present you her best compliments.
Buffalo March 18th 1808
Joseph Ellicott Esqre Batavia
Dear Sir: Your most esteem’d favor of the ioth inst came safe
to hand on Wednesday last. I hope your next will inform me of
the success of your application to the Legislature, for the Erection
of a new County and the Establishment of the Seat of Justice at
Buffalo.
I have granted on the 12th inst to Wm Enos Frost, the Town
Lot No. 19 at $55. I have the promise of one fifth of the purchase
money in the course of May next.
Mr. Elizah Leech has requested me to ask you what abatement
you would be willing to make him, if he pays you the cash in hand
for the Town Lot No. 46, rated at $100. which I have granted him
on the 17th of November last.
Mr. Erastus Granger called on me yesterday, for to look at the
plans of our village, he has a desire to become purchaser of the
town lots No. 51 & 52. I told him the price of each, and offered470
MEMOIR OF
him to write you on the subject, but he reply’d me that he would
do it himself.
I remain with unfeigned sincerity, Dear Sir, Your affectionate
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe presents you her best compliments.
N. B. Capt. Pratt & Joseph Landon have haul’d out of their
garden spot Black Joes filthy house. E. Barker is the only person
in the whole settlement who did not rejoice at the Event.
Buffalo March 31st 1808
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia
Dear Sir: Your most esteem’d favor of the 29th Ins’t is before
me.—I have entered in my book to Mr. Hitchcock the Out Lots No.
88 and 89 and to Mr. E. Granger the Town lots No. 51 & 52.
Dr. Daniel Chapin^ called on me this morning with one fifth of
the purchase money in hand & the additional sum of 5 per cent
for the Town lot No. 59, rated $50. which adjoins his son James
lot No. 58.—I told him that you might have disposed of it. I would
write you on the subject & let him know your answer.
Mr. Kellick, carpenter & Bridge builder, lately come to this vil-
lage, has apply’d to me for the out lot No. 52, rated $15. per acre,
and Messrs. Elizah Cobb & Thos. Cobb, his brothers in Law, have
also apply’d to me for the out lots No. 23 & 144 rated at $14. per
acre. These men bear an excellent character and are industrious,
be so kind as to inform me whether I may grant them the lots
above mentioned.
Our Legislature could not chuse [a] handsome[r] name than
Clarence for our Township. I’ll receive with pleasure the paper con-
taining the act of the devision of the County of Genessie.
The Indians of the Six Nations, have held a council at this Place,
for two days, to which I was present. I have observed with infinite
pleasure that their determination is to remain Neutral in case a war
should take place between this country and Great Brittain.
I remain with much Esteem, Dear Sir,
Your affectionate & devoted servant,
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. My wiffe presents you her best compliments.
Buffalo April 7th, 1808
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia
Dear Sir: Your most esteemed favor of the 5th Inst came safe
to hand on Wednesday last. I have granted and entered in my
book to Dr. Daniel Chapin the Town lot No. 59 rated $50.—you’ll
find herewith $12.50, being his fifth of the purchase money includ-
ing 5 p% on said Lot. I have likewise granted to Mr. Stephen
Kellick, the out lot No. 22 rated $15 per acre, instead of the out
lot No. 52. I have also granted to Thomas Cobb & Elizah Cobb,LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
471
the out lots No. 23 & 144, rated $14. per acre, they all have requested
me to allow them three months credit, for to pay their fifths of the
purchase money, which I have granted them, they are going to im-
prove immediately their respective lots & build on them in the course
of this summer. I have granted this morning to Edmund Raymond,
Saddler, the Town lot No. 149 rated $30. on which he has already
erected a House, thinking it was on the Town lot No. 150, which
you have granted to Him and Abraham Henry, his partner, last
summer. E. Raymond promises to pay me next week $6. for his
fifth of the purchase money on T. lot No. 149, and intends to pay
you the remainder in June.
I thank you very kindly, not only for the paper which you have
forwarded me containing the act for the division of the County of
Genessie but likewise for recommending me to your friends at
Albany, as a fit person for to fill the office of Clerk of the County of
Niagara, whether I am appointed or not, you may rest assured, my
dear Sir, that I shall always be grateful to you.
I have observed for some time past some uneasiness among the
Inhabitants of our village, respecting the boundary limits of the
Town of Clarence, and I have heard the person you allude to say
in presence of, several, that if the Holland Company did own the
land, they did not own the People. & I have heard' him say, moreover,
that, as an Agent you had acted faithfully for their interest, in sav-
ing them $1000 per annum, upon the whole he is not pleased at our
Limits.
I remain with much esteem your devoted serv’t
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. My wiffe presents you her best compliments.
Buffalo April 15th, 1808.
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I confirm you the letters I had the honour to write
you on the 7th Inst containing $12.50 which Dr. Daniel Chapin,
remitted me as the fifth part of the purchase money on the Town
lot 59, which I have granted him. I send you herewith $6. in 2 bank
notes, being the fifth part of the purchase money on the Town
lot No. 149, which I have granted to Edmund Raymond, this day
week.
Mr. Wm Hull, son of Widow Chapman, had apply’d to me for
the Town Lot No. 8, rated $120. and Mr. Elisah Ensign, has like-
wise apply’d for the Town lot No. 60 rated $50. E. Barker has
also apply’d for the Town lot No. 48, rated $80. and Asa Chapman,
for the Town lot No. 55, rated $55. have the goodness to inform
me whether I may grant them, they paying down the fifth part
of the purchase money.
Two meetings have been held in this village, the one at Jos.
Landon’s Hotel, on Wednesday last, and the other at Widow Chap-
mans last evening.- S. Mabee was set up by the Republicans & E.
Barker by the Federals I did not attend either of those meetings,
which were very thin, it is my opinion that E. Barker would do472
MEMOIR OF
much better to attend to his tavern and farry & Majr Mabee td
his indian trade at Kavawgus than to pretend to represent our
County.
I remain most Sincerely, your devoted servant
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. In your Statement of the Town and out lots of the Vil-
lage of New Amsterdam, the Town lot No. 8 is set to Atkins instead
of No. 9.
My wiffe presents you her best compliments.
Buffalo May 20th 1808
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir :	I refer you to the letters I had the pleasure to write
you on the 7th & 15th of last month.
The present is to inform you that Mr. Jabez Goodell has apply’d
to me some time ago for the Town lots No. 53, 87 & 88 and for the
out lots No. 145 & 136 he wishes to take them in the room of Lot
No. 46 which you granted him over the Big Creek, I mean Big
Buffalo Creek, last January, he promises to comply with the terms
of sale, by paying one fifth of the purchase money as soon as these
lots are secured to him. He flatters himself that you will have the
goodness to reduce the price of the out lots.
I was attacked on the 10th Inst very severely with the fever &
ague, which still hangs on me. I am accordingly feeble and emaci-
ated. I am apprehensive that I shall not be able to attend court
at Batavia next June, which will be a great.disappointment to me.
I shall be happy to hear that you are well.
I remain most truely your devoted serv’t
Louis Le Couteulx.
Buffalo May 29th 1808.
Joseph Ellicott, Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir:	I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of
your most esteem’d favor of the 24th Inst.
I have shown Mr. Jabez Goodell that part of your letter which
regards him, he told me that he would wait on you in a few days,
he appears to be a very clever man, and bears an excellent character
in Massachusetts, his native State, his intention is to settle in this
Village.
I remitted you on the 15th of last month $6. in two bank notes,
being the fifth part of the purchase money on the town lots No. 149,'
which I granted to Edmund Raymond on the 8th of said month.
I likewise informed you that Wm Hull, son of Widow Chapman,
had apply’d to me for the Town lot No. 8, rated $120. and Elizah
Ensign for the Town lot No. 60 rated $50. E. Barker for the
Town lot No. 48 rated $80. and A. Chapman for the Town lot No.
55 rated $55. Be so good as to let me know whether I may grant
them, they paying down the fifth part of the purchase money, and
complying with the terms and conditions of sale.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
473
The fever and ague still hangs on me. I thank you very kindly
for the interest you take of my situation. I hope with the help of
God I shall soon recover, for it is a wearisome desease that affects
both mind and body.
Mr. E. Walden has drawn a Petition sans peur, directed to hi^
Excellency D. Tompkins, our Governor, for to have Mr. Smith, a
young Lawyer, lately come to this place, and now a boarder of
Widow Chapman, appointed a justice. I would not sign it, Smith is
a Federal. Dr. C. Chapin Grant, E. Raymond & Sam’l Pratt, junior,
have sign’d it, all Federals. The Petition reminded the Governor
of certain things relative to the organization of our new County,
&c, &c, &c.
I remain most affectionately, your devoted servt,
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe presents you her best wishes.
My best compliments if you please to your brother & Mr.
Stevens, with’t forgetting me to Messrs Andrew Ellicott, Evans S
Peacock.
Buffalo June 17th, 1808.
Joseph Ellicott Esqre Batavia:
Dear Sir: Your most esteem’d favor of the 4th Inst was duly
presented me by Mr. Jabez Goodell, who inform’d me that you had
granted him the out lots No. 145 & 136, which I have entered to
him.
A. Chapman, Ensign Hull & Elizah Ensign, have called on me
for to request me to wait a little while for the payment of their
fifth part of the purchase money on the Town lots they have apply’d
for. I shall not enter them until they have comply’d with the terms,
&c.
Mr. I. Gillett has remitted me on the day of his arrival from
Albany, the Didimus dated June 4th.
Be so kind as to deliver to Mr. Peacock, the enclosed, I request
him to do me the favor to come here for to assist me at our next
Court on Tuesday the 22nd Inst, if you have no objection.
Thank God, I have escaped four fits of the fever & Ague, the
last I had lasted me nearly nine hours with constant castings. I am
very much emaciated and remarkably weak.
I remain with unfeigned regard & esteem, Dear Sir,
Your devoted serv’t
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe presents you her best compliments and begs to be
remembered to all your worthy family.
Since writing the above, Mr. Jabez Goodell has informed me that
he has purchased conditionally from Elizah Cobb, for a small con-
sideration of $4. the out lot No. 144, rated $14 per acre, which I
granted him on the 5th day of April last. I observed Mr. Goodell
that Cobb had no right to dispose of his lot without having pre-
viously paid one fifth of the purchase money and made some im-474
MEMOIR OF
provement. I told Mr. poodell that I thought you would not consent
to let him have it, having already two out lots. E. Cobb not com-
plying with the terms and conditions of sale, the lot ought to revert
to the Original Proprietors.
Richard Man, to whom you gave three years ago, the out lot No.
34 over Big Buffalo Creek, to clear and enclose for $16. per Acre,
has done very little on it. There are about six acres more to log.
The whole ten acres wants farming. Mr. Lake is very apprehensive
that he will not be able to raise corn, or any thing, on that piece of
Land. Mr. 'Man instead of Logging and enclosing the whole of it,
is now engaged making bricks. I have told him over and over that
if he did not comply with his contract, that certainly you would not
pay him any more money & furthermore that you would prosecute
him for damages, &c. &c. his cattle which he turns over the creek
every night have already destroyed part of the corn that Mr. Lake
had planted.
Yours,
Ls. Le Couteulx.
Buffalo July 13, 1808
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia
Dear Sir:	Your most esteem’d favors of the 2d & 8th of this
month, are before me. I bear in mind that the Town Lots you have
described in your first letter, are not to be disposed of for the present.
Your second letter conveys me a Deed, which it is not in my
power at present to record, the Books for our County having not
as yet arrived from New York. Mr. Stevens has had the politeness
to inform me that He thought they were on the way and would be
here probably in the course of this month, as soon as they come
to hand I shall record it and forward it to you by a safe opportunity.
I remain with much esteem, Dr Sir
Your devoted serv’t,
Louis Le Couteulx.
Clarence, March 14th, 1809.
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I have before me your most esteem’d favor of the
21 st Ult. according to your desire, I have entered on the 21st of
february last to Widow Chapman the Inner Lot No. 53 rated $55.
on which she has a well and a Kitchen Cellar dug up^ and the timber
ready for framing.
I have granted to Col. Ely Parson the Inner lot No. 55, he intends
to come here next may or June, at which time he will make a pay-
ment. Mrs. E. Walden has apply’d to me this morning for the out
lot No. 133 rated $12 p Acre and the out Lot No. 114, rated $15.
per Acre, be so kind as to inform me whether he may have them.
You have promised me at yr leisure to let me know the lowest
prices of the Out lots.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
475
My wiffe presents you her best compliments. Be so good as to
present mine to messieurs Stevens, Peacock, Evans & Brisban. Also
to Mrs. Ellicott.	Your devoted serv>t
Louis Le Couteulx.
N. B. Mr. E. Walden wishes the above Lots for the purpose of
having his fire wood handy.
[The Mrs. Ellicott mentioned above was probably sister-in-law
of Joseph Ellicott, who was a bachelor.]
Clarence April 14th 1809.
Joseph Ellicott, Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I had the pleasure to write you on the 14th of last
month by Mr. David Edy. I informed you that according to your
desire I had granted to Widow Chapman, the Town Lot No. 53
rated $55. and entered it to her in my book on the 21st day of Feb-
ruary last, datae of your letter. I likewise informed you that I had
granted to Col. Ely Parson, the Town Lot No. 55 rated $55. and
observed you that Mr. Ebenezer Walden had apply’d for the out
lots Nos. 113, rated $12 per Acre, and out Lot No. 114 rated $15.
per Acre, he flatters himself that you will grant them to him, his
object is to have his firewood handy. I have granted and entered
to Marmeduk Wells, brother to Joseph Wells the Brickmaker, the
out Lot No. 141, rated $17 per Acre. I have also granted to Stephen
Kellick, the Town lot No. 76, rated $35. That lot was entered to
Timothy Strong, who has relinquished it. I have granted likewise
to Gilman Folsom, Butcher, the Town lot No. 75, rated $35.—Mr.
Philo Andrews has apply’d for the Town lot No. 37, rated $120.
granted at your office to Seymour Woodruff, who, I am told has
relinquished it. Be so kind as to inform me whether He may have
it. He has already two Town lots which he says He would give
up if he could get this one.
Peter Lake and William Robbin have apply’d for the Town Lots
Nos. 86 & 87, rated $25 Each; these Lots as well as many others you
have directed me last year not to dispose of not knowing precisely
where you would build them Goal. I told them that I would write
you on the subject, and let them know your Answer. Mr. Vincent
Grave has apply’d for the out lots Nos. 43 $24 44 $23 45 $22 and
46 $21 over Big Buffalo Creek. He tells me that he spoke to you
concerning them when you was here last February, and that you
told him he might have them. He intends to pay you in the course
of this spring one half of the purchase money and the remainder in
the fall.
I have requested you to give me the lowest prices of the Out Lots,
having sold a great many, I would make it my business to call on
the Purchasors for the purchase money} agreably to the terms and
conditions of sale.
I have the honour to be with real esteem & Regard, Dear Sir,
Your devoted serv’t, Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe desires me to present you her compliments, have the
goodness to present mine to your Brother and Nephew, & to Messrs
Stephens, Evans, Peacock & Brisban [e].476
MEMOIR OF
Clarence, April 21, 1809.
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I refer you to the letters I had the pleasure to write
you on the 14th of last month and 14th Inst, the object of this, is to
inform you that Mr. McConnell, purchaser of Mr. S. Mabee’s prop-
erty in this Village has requested me to drop you a few Lines, for to
ask you whether you would be willing to hire Him your Ten Acres
field, your mainsion House spot excepted and the price per Acre,
have the goodness to let me know your determination on the sub-
ject. Henry Lake has mended the fences round y’r meadows, and
has added 500 rails which were wanting.
I have bargained with old Christian Staley’ son, for to grub up
the Court House plot, containing three Acres, for twenty dollars.
I shall from time to time inspect his work, the old man who is a
good hand at grubing, will help his son.
I have granted and entered on the 20th of March last, to Michael
Staly (the young man who has undertook to grub up the Court
House plot) the out lot No. 30, rated $13. per Acre. I have likewise
granted and entered on the 14th of this month to Samuel Pratt
Junior, the out lot No. 29, rated $15 per Acre. I have also granted
and entered to Otis R. Hopkins, our Under Sheriff, on the 18th Ins’t,
the Town lot No. 54, rated $50. The d own Lot No. 55, rated $55.
which I have granted to Col. Ely Parson, was on the 21st of Feb-
ruary last.
I will be happy to hear from you soon, in the mean while Believe
me with real Esteem, your devoted serv’t,
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe presents you her best compliments.
Clarence August 26th 1809
Joseph Ellicott, Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir : I have the pleasure to congratulate you on your safe
arrival in the bosom of your worthy family.
For want of an opportunity for Chattagqua, I have forwarded
by mail to Mr. Wm. Peacock, the letter you left with me For Him.
The last time you honoured Clarence with your presence, you
had the generosity to offer $40. towards improving the new Road,
leading to Black Rock I have accordingly directed Mr. Jos. Landon
to let Adams & Davis, who had work’d on it to turnpike the lower-
end, which in my opinion was the very worst part of the Road, to
the above amount, which they did in a masterly way, that is, they
have cut out 53 Rods of ditching between 3 & 4 feet in breadth and
from 12 to 18 inches in depth on each side of the Road, which they
have made full 16V2 feet in width, they have filled the inside of said
Road with plenty of Brushes and covored them thick with dirt, so
that a carriage may travel over it with safety. I went this afternoon
to inspect the work, you would be pleased to see it. the Citizens
of Buffalo were no sooner apprised of your kind offer than they
cheerfully subscribed $25. more.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
477
Mr. Marmeduc Wells will be the bearer of this letter, you will
be so good as to interest him with the sum above mentioned and
believe me with real esteem and regard, Dear Sir,
Your devoted serv’t,
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe desires to be remembered to you. she presents you
her compliments and flatters herself that you will shortly visit us
again.
Clarence, Sepber 15th, 1809
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Mr. Brown has delivered to me on Saturday last,
in good order, your Trunk, Baskets, Bottles, Jugs &c. you carried
to Chauttaughque, I have requested Mr. Osmas (the mail carrier)
to remit you on his arrival at your Place, your said Trunk and the
Key which I sent you sealed up in a paper. I have taken the lib-
erty to put in your Trunk, a pair of Leggins and stockings, belonging
to Mr. Peacock.
I have been invited this morning to the raising of our Court
House, it will require sixty hands for to raise it up. I expect it
will make a conspicuous show.
I have heard with much pleasure by Mr. Cuppee[?] that you was
well, may the Great Architect of the Universe preserve you great
many years, is the sincere wish of your devoted serv’t
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe begs to be remembered to you and the rest of your
worthy family. Present if you please my best compliments to your
Brother and Nephew & Messrs Stevens, Peacock & Evans.
Buffalo Nov. 8th 1809
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I beg your pardon For having diffared so long in
answering your most kind Favor of the 19th of Sepber last, in
which you invited my wiffe to visit your Family. She would have
accepted your polite invitation with chearfulness had she had at
that time a Girl to whom she could leave the care of the House. a9
she has got a clever young woman at present, she flatters herself
that she will be able to pay your worthy Family a visit in Slaying
time; in the Interim, she prays you to accept her best wishes.
According to your desire I have pasted up at the Inns and Stores
of this Village, the Hand bills you have sent me.
I have granted to Mr. Lot Hull, on the 9th of June last, the
Town krt No. 117, rated $40. on which he has paid me at that time
$8. For his Fifth, he wishes an Article, which you’ll have the good-
ness to give Him. on his return From Batavia He intends to clear
his Town lot.
I have paid on the 2d Inst to Joseph Adams $10. Specie on ac-
count of his clearing & choping Wollenhavens’ Avenue I have478
MEMOIR OF
measured it with my chain, Him and my man present, and Found
102 Rods in length From post to post, that is, From East to
West, and 6 Rods in width, which makes 3 Acres & 314 & 12 rods
over at $10 per Acre, he has clear'd & burnt up all the brushes &;
Logs, so that the Avenue is entirely Free of all Incumberance
(Stumps excepted). Adams has received in the whole $25. There
is still a ballance due to him of $12.50.
I remain with much Esteem & regard Dear Sir,
Your devoted servant
Louis Le Couteulx.
Be so kind as to present my respects to your neice & Mrs. Stevens
& my compliments to your Brother, Nephew & Messrs Stevens, Pea-
cock and Evans.
N. B. the Pollander goes on very well with ditching.
Buffalo Novem. 10th 1809.
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I had the pleasure to write you on Wednesday last,
by Mr. Lot Hull.
I take the liberty to drop you a Few lines For to request you to
grant to Mr. Elisha Ensign, an Article For the Town Lot No. 60,
rated $50. which I sold him on the 4th of June 1808, and on which
He has paid me at the time $10. For his Fifth.
I remain with real Esteem & respect, Dear Sir,
Your devoted servant
Louis Le Couteulx.
P. S. Be so good as to present my respects to your nieces &
my compliments to your Brother, nephew & Messrs Stevens, Pea-
cock & Evans.
Buffalo April 19th 1810.
James W. Stevens Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Your most Esteem'd Favour under date of the 16th
Inst was presented to me by Mr. Philo Andrews, Should the com-
missions of our Successors in Office not arrive before the period
we are to return a Statement of votes to Albany. I shall if my
health permit, and God willing, carry the Statement myself, and
start immediately after the eight days in which the returns of the
Inspectors of Election are to be made, and I will do myself the
pleasure to take your report.
I remain with real Esteem and Regard, Dear Sir,
Your most obed servt
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe joins me in respectful compliments to your Lady, and
your worthy mother, please to present my best compliments to
Messrs Ellicott, Peacock & Evans.LOUIS LE COUTEULX.
479
Buffalo June the 8th, 1810.
Joseph Ellicott Esq’re, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I hope the Present will find you well. I have directed
the Stage Driver to deliver you immediately on his arrival at your
Place, a Box containing a Maskinange and Pickrel, which were
caught in our Lake at io o’Clock this morning. I hope they will
reach you in good order.
I Flatter myself of the pleasure of possessing you soon. In the
Interim, I remain with esteem Dear Sir,
Your devoted servt,
Louis Le Couteulx.
My wiffe desires me to present you her best compliments. Be
so good as to present mine to your Brother and Nephew and to
Messrs Peacock, Stevens & Evans.
Buffalo June 15th, 1810.
Benjn Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I take the liberty to inform you that I have con-
tracted with Solomon Sutherland, at $18. per acre, For cleaning,
chopping, heaping and burning the Logs and brush on your out-Lots
Nos. 2, 3 & 5, likewise He is to grub up every Alder, willows, bushes,
&c &c where ever they are to be Found on your wet Land or marsh.
—The conditions I have made with Him, are these. He is to clear
your Lot No. 2 by the 15th day of October next and the Lots Nos. 3
& 5 by the 15th day of November Following, provided, that the
weather will permit. For if it was too wet He could not work to any
advantage For You, nor For Himself. I shall From time to time in-
spect his work, as soon as my situation will permit. I have insisted
that He shall receive in Land payment $180. and the residue in cash.
—He is to draw on you occasionally For money For to defray his
expenses while he is clearing up your aforesaid Lots. Him and I
have signed the agreement in the presence of Jonas Williams, Esq.,
who did sign as a witness.
I remain with real Esteem, Dear Sir
Your most obedt servt
Louis Le Couteulx.
Buffalo July 20th, 1810.
Benjamin Ellicott Esq’re, Batavia:
Dear Sir: I had the honour to write you on the 15th of last
month, For to inform you of the contract I had made with Solomon
Sutherland For to clear, chop, grub, heap and burn up all the Logs
and Bushes on your out Lots Nos. 2, 3, & 5. I have been all over
them a Few days ago and find that He, and the two Pennsylvanians
Whom He had hired have grubbed in a neat manner about 10 Acres
of your low land. I make them grub all the Alders, Willows and
Rose Bushes & I shall From time to time inspect their work and see
that they do you Justice.480
MEMOIR OF
Solomon Sutherland has requested me to draw on you in his
Favour For thirty dollars (on account of his work) which I beg
you’ll have the goodness to send me by next mail, as he has to
advance money to his men For to buy their provisions and has to
pay For his board, he has purchased on my acc* one barrel of Flour.
I shall be happy to hear that Mrs. Ellicott and Mrs. Stevens are
arrived safe at Batavia.
I remain with real Esteem Dear Sir
Your most obed* serv*
Louis Le Couteulx
I pray you to present my best compliments to your Brother and
Nephew & to Messrs Peacock, Stevens & Evans.
N. B. Philo Andrews & Lewis the Taylor had each a Frame
two storey high raised this morning.
Buffalo Jan’y 18th, 1811.
Joseph Ellicott Esq’re Batavia:
Dear Sir: In answer to your most esteem’d Favour of the 15th
Ins’t I will inform you that Dr Johnson left this village For Caze-
novia his Father's Residence last Wednesday morning previous to
the arrival of the Eastern mail.
I shall Keep at your disposal the Iron Chest For which I request
you to place to my Credit sixty Five dollars, being the amount of
the purchase and transportation of the same From New York to
this Place.
I recommend myself to your Friendship and entreat you to'have
the kindness to write to our worthy Governor, in my Behalf, For to
procure me my Former birth in so doing you will confer a very
great Favour on
Dear Sir,
Your devoted & affectionate serv’t
Louis Le Couteulx
My wiffe presents you her best compliments. Be so good as to
offer mine to your Brother & nephew & to Messrs Stevens & Evans
Buffalo July 18th, 1811.
Benjamin Ellicott Esq’re, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Solomon Sutherland called on me this morning For
to inform me that he had Finished your three out Lots and wished
me to examine them which I accordingly did this afternoon, having
walked over them in every direction, and Find them compleatly
cleared of every incumbrances what so ever. Permit me to remind
you that my men in clearing my out Lot No. 1 did grub one Acre ofLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
481
your Land, thinking it was mine, which you’ll have the goodness
to give me credit For.
I remain with real esteem Dear Sir
Your most obed’t serv’t
Louis Le Couteulx
Be so kind as to give my compliments to your Brother & to
Messrs And. Ellicott, Stevens & Evans, and my respects to your
nieces & Mrs. Stevens, mother & daughter in law.
Buffalo September 6, 1812
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Permit me to drop you a few lines For to request
you to receive in your House For safe keeping, a Trunk containing
all the Books and records of our county, not knowing how soon
we may be attacked by the British, as they have been notified that
on tuesday at midday, the suspension of arms ceases.
I remain with real esteem, Dear Sir,
Your devoted servant
Louis Le Couteulx
Buffalo September 17th, 1812.
Joseph Ellicott Esq’re, Batavia:
Dear Sir: On the 6th ins’t I took the liberty to address you a
Few lines For to request you to receive in your house For Safety
a Trunk containing the Books and records of our County, being
at that time apprehensive of an attack From the British and their
Sattalites the Indians. Some of our Lawyers having intimated to
me that they could not attend to the concerns of their Clients with-
out having access to their Writs, and other papers, I now request
you, Dear Sir, when Joseph Landon’s stage Driver calls For said
Trunk, to have the goodness to see it delivered to him, in so doing
you will oblige, very particularly
Your devoted servant
Louis Le Couteulx.
General Hall and his Aid de Camp Wm Howe Cuyler[?] have
Fixed their Head Quarters at this Place.
I have received a letter from a Friend at Erie which informs me
that the Governor of Pennsylvania had given orders For 2000 men
to march and rendezvous at Meadville on the 25th ins’t destined
For this Place, they are as Fine Fellows as ever went into an
Army, they are all volunteers, in compleat uniforms, and good dis-
cipline, most of them Lawyers, merchants, and Spirited young Fel-
lows. he likewise mentioned that there are at Erie 800 men under
arms, ready to give a warm reception of cold lead to the British and
their Allies the savages in case they should attempt to land, he
also mentions that the State of Ohio was full of men under arms
ready to march for to exterminate the Indians and retake Detroit
and march to Fort Malden this Fall.482
MEMOIR OF
PAUL BUSTI TO JOSEPH ELLICOTT.
Philadelphia 6th June 1816
Joseph Ellicott Esqre, Batavia:
Mr. LeCouteulx came down from Albany to see his old acquaint-
ances in this city and paid me the visit I made to him at Buffalo in
1805. I thought he was still a resident of that village, but by his
narrative of the misfortunes he met with I was soon convinced of
the error I was resting in. You’ll easily suppose that the variance
at which he seems to be with you about some of the lots he held
under the Article of agreement granted to him in November 1806
has been the most and even the only interesting part of the conversa-
tion I had with him which ended in pressing a request upon me to
write to you in his favor. Before accepting the office of Interpositor,
I desired him to state in writing the summary of his petition. He
drew a pretty long memoir by which it appears, that you refuse to
renew the Article for 3 of them lots viz. N 1 32 & 33, alledging as
a reason for the refusal his want of complying with the conditions.
Such an allegation, however founded upon the strictness of facts, I
am however almost sure, cannot be the sole motive upon which you
ground your refusal. Your wonted indulgence towards the gener-
ality of dealers would not fail to act upon your mind in favor of
one of the oldest Inhabitants of the Village, who has had the mis-
fortune of having his house and goods destroyed almost at the very
time, that in Dber 1813 he called at the Office to pay and settle the
debt. I rather incline to think that Mr. LeCouteulx actuated by
fear of seeing his Article forfeited has not made his application for
the renewal of the Article in a proper manner, and that from this
cause some misunderstanding arose between you and him.
I am confirmed in the opinion from the circumstance, that after
searching into the accounts & Tables of your Administration, not
the least discovery will be made indicating the forfeiture of them
three lots, forming jointly with lots 4 & 83 one single Article of
Nber 1806.
I am anxious to hear from you in what situation M. LeCouteulx’s
Art & Contract with you about them Lots N 1, 32 & 33 really stand.
Supposed even that on the part of that Gentleman there should be
evident delinquencies. I believe that his case is entitled to indulgence
on our part, for without entering into the credit side of his personal
merits, the old date of residency, and the exertions he made in pro-
curing to himself Neighbours, the sole consideration of his losses
by the burning of the village and the considerable expences at which
he has been for draining & enclosing Lot N 1, plead in his favor.
There might exist some other wrongs on M. LeCouteulx’s side.
Your explanation of the transaction will, I doubt not, apprise me
thereof. But still I should be glad to see them overlooked on your
part. Let us grant him his request df renewing to him the Article
for the three Lots N. 1, 32 & 33 on the condition and price of theLOUIS LE COUTEULX.
483
former of 1806. The kindness wherewith he received us in 1805
at Buffalo must not go unrewarded. One of the horses that carried
me there lives still. Could the animal speak, he would have perorated
Mr. LeCouteulx’s cause, for without the hay generously presented
by that french Gentleman, poor Jack would have had reason bitterly
to complain of his visit to Buffalo. I remain as usually
Your most ob serv’t
Paul Busti.
Philad 3rd July 1816
Joseph Ellicott Esq’re, Batavia:
Dear Sir: Long as your esteemed favor of the 21 June is it
affords however but little material for an answer. The detail of
what had taken place in your transactions with Mr. LeCouteulx
has brought upon me the full conviction that his claim upon our
liberality have no other foundation than the wish of extending its
limits farther and farther. I had some suspicion that such would
have been the fact. It was therefore that abstaining from making
any promise I told Mr. LeC your information would be my guide
in his application. Consistently with such intimation I wrote him
yesterday that I declined acting as mediator for as a local knowledge
of the lots granted and retained would only qualify me to judge per-
tinently of the matter in question, I could not assume the task of
deciding. I informed him that if he could persuade you of any
harshness in the last settlement made between you and him you
were ready to do him justice, and that if the matter were to be left
to the opinion of refferrees you were not fearing that their decision
would run against you. I expect we will hear no more of his
claim. ...	Paul Busti.434
MEMOIR OF
At one time, his father, Anthony Le Couteulx, was counsel-
lor in the Province of Normandy, and a delegate to Parlia-
ment.
But the intricacies of the law had no attractions for Louis,
and, when twenty years of age, he went to Cadiz, where a
thorough knowledge of the Spanish language made his ser-
vices most valuable in the Le Couteulx counting-house.
That was in 1776, a year of so sacred and so tender a mem-
ory to every American. Thoughts of those days of pain
and sacrifice make the pulses quicken, fill heart and soul
with exultant thanksgivings, and softly enfold in haloes of
heavenly radiance those glorious deeds that made “our coun-
try free evermore!” Straining every nerve to raise money
for George Washington and the Continental army, Robert
Morris held out his hands to France. And France gave,
not only gold, but men and leaders who helped us pave the
way to Independence!
Louis Le Couteulx was born at Rouen, France, Aug. 24,
1756, and being closely related to the Marquis de La Fayette,
only one year his senior, naturally his heart throbbed with
youthful enthusiasm and unbounded sympathy for the
cause espoused by so many of his countrymen. For him, the
skies of sunny Spain were cast with gloom, and many were
his forebodings at news of battles lost in the cause of free-
dom. But, when Count de Grasse had brought his squadron
into the Chesapeake Bay, and made possible that famous
siege at Yorktown, the heart of the future American citizen
and pioneer of Buffalo leaped with joy, and gloried in the
achievement as only a brave and independent spirit can.
Young Le Couteulx remained in Spain six years, and his
health was poor most of that time. Returning to France,
he stayed at home a few weeks, and then went to London,
where his cousin, Le Couteulx de La Norrayes, presided
over a large business enterprise. Louis was identified with
the London house about three years, when the family, feel-
ing that he had won his spurs, decided to send him to
America to negotiate a settlement with Robert Morris of
large sums of money due the family.